Man arrested for drug offences after speeding past police at 100mph near Ludlow

Officers were patrolling the A49 as part of Operation Ankara to combat antisocial driving, when they saw a vehicle going in excess of 100mph in the direction of Clee Hill on Sunday.

They followed the vehicle and stopped it in Bitterley where he was issued with a section 59 warning for careless driving and a rectification form to replace his aftermarket exhaust with a standard fit one.

Officers carried out a further search of the car and found cannabis, cocaine, further drug paraphernalia and cash.

A driver, a man aged 20 from Herefordshire, was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply and possession of Class A drugs. He has since been released under investigation.

Sergeant Damien Kelly, of West Mercia Police, said: “Operation Ankara was designed to tackle antisocial driving in the South Shropshire area due to concerns raised by members of the community around loud exhausts and traffic offences.

"Officers were patrolling the area of Ludlow when they heard the speeding vehicle and decided to stop it.

“I am extremely pleased we were able to take a quantity of drugs off the streets as well as a driver suspected to be under the influence carelessly driving in an overly loud vehicle.

“Tackling drug offences and associated crime is a priority for the force and we will continue to protect the public from the associated harm that comes with the supply of drugs.”