A member of an organised crime group who was stopped with more than a quarter of a million pounds’ worth of cannabis in his van has been jailed.
Mark Corbett, 33, of Princess Street in Broadheath, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
He was yesterday jailed for four years and two months after being convicted of being in possession with in intent to supply cannabis and two counts of money laundering at Minshull Street Crown Court.
Corbett was stopped driving a Volkswagen Caddy on Barton Road in Stretford at about 4.25pm on August 13th last year.
He was stopped by a passing police patrol, and the officer noticed a strong smell of cannabis coming from the back of the van.
When it was opened, the officer discovered large amounts of bars of cannabis resin. The car was later forensically searched by CSI officers who recovered 89 bags, each containing four bars of cannabis. Forensic examination showed the Cannabis Resin to weigh over 90kg, with a street value of between £250,000 and £380,000.
Officers also seized more than £40,000 in cash from within the vehicle.
Below: Mark Corbett
When quizzed by officers in interview, Corbett admitted he was paid £500 to take a number of boxes and cash from Scotland to Manchester, but refused to answer any further questions about who he was working for.
Corbett was already on bail for money laundering following a warrant being executed at his home in November 2010. During this police also seized high-value watches and identified a safety deposit box containing a large amount of cash.
Detective Constable Dave Meeney said: “Corbett was caught red-handed with nearly half-a-million pounds worth of cannabis and more than £40,000 in his car.
“The recovery of such a huge amount of drugs is a fantastic result for us and for the communities of Manchester. In real terms it means we have prevented thousands of pounds worth of drugs from entering Manchester, depriving an organised crime group of cannabis and the profits they stood to make from selling it on.
“By keeping these drugs off the streets, we have also potentially saved the lives of people addicted to drugs and who go on to commit further criminality while under the influence of drugs.”
