A MAN has appeared in court after police stopped a vehicle on the M6 near Carlisle and found cannabis plants potentially worth around £1million.

The city’s magistrates’ court heard on Friday afternoon that five cardboard boxes containing a total of 1,000 baby cannabis plants were found inside a vehicle pulled over on the motorway because of defective rear brake light yesterday (25th July).

Four were found inside the boot of that vehicle, and one on the back seat.

A police drugs expert had concluded the cannabis produced from the plants if eventually sold on the street would potentially be valued at around £1 million.

Armanto Minai, 24, faces one charge. This alleges the possession of cannabis with intent to supply it to others.

During a short hearing in front of magistrates, a solicitor representing Minai indicated that no plea was being entered to the charge at this stage.

Magistrates concluded, after hearing submissions, that the case should be sent to Carlisle Crown Court.

Minai, who gave his address as Singleton Road in Salford, Manchester, is due to appear there in front of a judge on 23rd August.

In the meantime, Minai was remanded in custody after an application for bail was rejected by the Bench.