A DRUGS courier caught on the M6 near Penrith with cannabis worth £15,000 and more than £3,000 in cash has been jailed.

But the time already spent in jail by the guilty man – 22-year-old Islam Mema – means that he is likely to be immediately released from his eight-month jail sentence, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The defendant’s barrister told the court that the Mema was the victim of exploitation by more sophisticated criminals.

READ MORE: Man charged in connection with serious assault in Workington

Prosecutor Brendan Burke told the court that the defendant was a passenger in a car that was stopped by police as it was being driven on the M6 near Penrith on November 4 last year.

“He gave a false name initially to the police,” said Mr Burke.

“The defendant indicated that there was a bag in the boot of the vehicle and said it was his bag but that he didn’t know what was in it. Inside that bag were two packages containing cannabis.”

In the bigger package was just over a kilo of cannabis while in the second package was 570g of the Class B drug.

The defendant, and Albanian national who claimed unsuccessfully to be a victim of modern slavery, was also carrying a bundle of cash – a total of £3,360. Mema had two previous convictions on his record: one for a driving matter and one for cannabis production.

Judith McCullough, defending, said: “This case is an example of the dangers and the risks faced by those with no legal status who are unable to work legally in this country and who are not eligible for benefits and often in debt to those who bring them to this country.

“This defendant, like so many others, fell into a world where the more criminally sophisticated were prepared to exploit that vulnerability for their own financial ends.”

The barrister said Mema came to the UK in the hope of finding work, eventually meeting a man who sent him to Norfolk to work as a 'gardener' on an illegal cannabis farm.

READ MORE: Simon Hackney's story: 'I believe it is truly the time to speak about everything

But those premises were robbed and the defendant – a victim of that robbery – was found by police bound and almost naked, said Miss McCullough.

Because he was then facing charges relating to illegally growing cannabis, he was held in prison – the same prison where the alleged robbers were also in custody. “He became the victim of violence, threats, and intimidation and at times feared for his life,” continued Mss McCullough.”

After being released from a short jail term, he needed accommodation and, with the help of his parents, who paid a 'substantial amount' to a contact in London, he was sent to an address in London.

'But when he got there, there was no sign of that accommodation or his parents’ money,' said the barrister.

READ MORE: Inquest hears tributes to loving son

Rendered homeless, Mema turned to a café which helped such people – but he was found by the criminals who exploited him by sending him on a mission to deliver cannabis.

“He’s very sorry to find himself in this court,” added the barrister. The defendant, of Cordwainer’s Walk, London, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply and possessing criminal property, the cash.

Judge Richard Archer remarked that Mema, having been exploited once, should have been more aware of that risk when he was asked to transport the cannabis and cash.

“Nevertheless, you placed yourself in a position where you were exploited for a second time,” said the judge.

Referring to the “pungent smell” associated with cannabis, the judge added: “It defies belief in your circumstances that you didn’t know you were transporting cannabis; and given its size that you didn’t know were transporting a significant quantity – in excess of 1.5 kilos of the drug.”

The judge added: “I accept you are remorseful and don’t want to continue in a life of crime.” He jailed Mema for eight months, pointing out that he would be eligible for release on licence after serving half that term.

Judge Archer ruled that the drugs will be destroyed and the money can be seized by Cumbria Police.

READ MORE: Countdown to new local authority in 2023

We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.

Please report any comments that break our rules.

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here

© 2001-2022. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. A Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP10 9TY. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |

Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event.

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.