Man to be sentenced after police found £22,000 worth of drugs in his van

Police who stopped a builder’s van in Douglas discovered it contained more than £22,000 worth of drugs and almost £14,000 in cash.

Frank John Thomas of Hillside Avenue in Douglas appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas Courthouse.

The 56 year old admitted two counts of possessing cannabis with intent to supply it, one of possessing the class B drug and one of possessing criminal property on November 24.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the hearing officers stopped Thomas as he drove a Renault van along Kensington Road in Douglas.

They searched the vehicle after smelling cannabis and discovered more than a kilogramme of the drug along with bundles of cash.

His advocate told the court Thomas owed a drug dealer more than £100,000 after a previous arrest and had been pressured to take the drugs in order to pay it off.

Mrs Hughes denied a bail application and remanded Thomas in custody, committing him to the Court of General Gaol where he’ll be sentenced on January 6.