A man has been jailed for 32 months after police found £165,000 worth of cannabis in the boot of his car, after he transported it to Rotherham

Dionis Prence, 31, was driving a Vauxhall Zafira when he was stopped by a member of our Roads Policing Group (RPG) on 4 January 2022.

On searching the vehicle, the officer discovered three boxes filled with cannabis plants in the boot. Police seized Prence’s phone which linked him to premises known for selling equipment to grow cannabis.

Rotherham DCI Aneela Khalil-Khan said: “We are well underway with our efforts to crack down on the production and supply of cannabis in Rotherham. We are constantly compiling intelligence around what properties and vehicles are involved and ensuring anyone identified as being responsible is quickly put before the courts.

“The discovery in Prence’s car and the contents of his phone enabled us to build a strong case which resulted in an almost immediate guilty plea. I hope this serves as a warning to those involved in the production and transportation of drugs that lengthy prison sentences are being handed out and it will not be tolerated.

“Our message mirrors that of our communities: drugs are not welcome. If you have any information or concerns relating to drugs in your area, please report it. We do act on intelligence.”

Prence, formerly of Runley Road, Luton, pleaded guilty before Sheffield Magistrates on 5 January, the day after his arrest. He was sentenced on Monday 31 January.