A driver caught swerving along the M4 near Swindon has been handed a lengthy ban after admitting he was more than three times over the drug drive limit.
Kamran Ahmed, 43, of Fishponds in Bristol, appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 7 April, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.
The incident dates back to January last year, when officers from Wiltshire Police spotted a Ford Transit travelling eastbound that appeared to be over its permitted weight.
What might have been a routine stop quickly escalated. As officers directed the van to a safe location, the vehicle was seen swerving, with the driver struggling to maintain control.
Once stopped, the situation became clearer. Officers reported the smell of cannabis from inside the vehicle, and Ahmed appeared visibly impaired. A roadside drugs test returned positive for both cocaine and cannabis.
He was arrested at the scene and later charged.
In court, Ahmed was disqualified from driving for 36 months and ordered to complete 225 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £650 in prosecution costs along with a £114 surcharge.
Detective Constable Alexandra Way said the case underlines the wider risks of drug driving, describing it as a danger not just to the individual but to everyone on the road.
Police say checks on the M4 often begin with seemingly minor concerns, such as vehicle weight limits, but can quickly uncover more serious offences — as was the case here.
It’s a familiar message, but one that continues to be repeated: driving under the influence isn’t just illegal, it’s unpredictable — and on a busy stretch of motorway, that can have consequences far beyond a court appearance.
