A van driver was caught with 20 bin bags filled with cannabis when he was pulled over by police.
Sajmir Neziri was tracked along a the M53 before being stopped near to the entrance to the Kingsway Tunnel. He later claimed he was being paid to dispose of the "waste material" from a large scale cannabis farm as an "odd job".
Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday, Tuesday, that the 28-year-old was spotted driving in a Renault van which was travelling northbound on the motorway in the direction of Liverpool at around 7am on January 9 this year. Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting, described how 20 large bin bags filled with cannabis were found in the rear of the vehicle when stopped in Wallasey, close to the tunnel.
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The contents were found to be stalks and leaves from cannabis plants, or the "waste material" of a farm. Neziri, of no fixed address, had been paid a "small sum" in order to "dispose of" this residue.
Mr Hopkins added: "The crown's case is that a production has taken place, and it must have been a large scale production to produce that much waste material. The defendant accepts his role was that he was paid a small sum to dispose of that waste material."
Chris McMaster, defending, told the court: "Mr Neziri was conducting a single odd job of disposing the refuse. He is a young man of good character.
"He came to the UK intending to work legitimately. This is his first time in custody anywhere."
Neziri, who has no previous convictions and was assisted by a translator, admitted being concerned in the production of cannabis. Appearing via video link to HMP Altcourse wearing a New England Patriots jumper, he was jailed for six months.
Forfeiture and destruction of the drugs was also ordered. Sentencing, Judge David Potter said: "The court is satisfied that you played a lesser role in this operation, but clearly the production had been on a commercial scale.
"The court accepts that you were not concerned with the actual production of the cannabis, nor did you have an expectation of any significant financial gain. Nevertheless, by involving yourself in the disposal of the waste material you have still involved yourself in a serious offence."
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