Cheshire: Dealer ditched heroin during high-speed police chase on M56

Neil Corrigan has been sentenced to five years in prison after being caught transporting around £285,000 worth of heroin.

The 42-year-old was arrested at Manchester Airport, having ditched four bags of the class-A drug as he sped away from Cheshire Police’s Road and Crime Unit.

Chief Inspector John Forshaw said: “This is another fantastic result which has led to the removal of a large quantity of illegal drugs from the streets of Cheshire and further afield.

“The manner of Corrigan’s driving was extremely dangerous, showing no regard for the safety of innocent members of the public as part of his failed attempt to flee officers.

“Thankfully, as a result of the work of the skilled and dedicated officers in the Roads and Crime Unit, we were able to bring the pursuit to a safe conclusion and Corrigan is now being held accountable for his actions.”

At around 5.30pm on March 5, police officers attempted to stop a white Mercedes Sprinter van driven by Corrigan on the M56 near Warrington.

Corrigan failed to stop and threw a large package out of the window before making off at speed.

Officers pursued the van as it travelled along the motorway and then onto the A555 towards Manchester Airport.

The vehicle eventually came to an abrupt stop, after driving through a barrier at the entrance of a multi-storey car park at Terminal One.

Corrigan then attempted to make off on foot but was soon arrested, near the Radisson Blue Hotel.

Back on the M56, officers recovered two brown packages thrown from the van, each containing 1kg of heroin.

Another two empty brown bags were also recovered, containing the remnants of a large amount of Heroin which had spilt over the carriageway.

A police drugs expert estimated that the 2kg of Heroin which was recovered by officers had a street value of £142,850.00.

As such, it is likely that Corrigan was transporting more than £285,000 worth of illegal drugs in total.

Neil Corrigan (Image: Cheshire Police)

Corrigan, of Main Street in Cayton, Scarborough, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class-A drugs, dangerous driving, failing to stop and driving without insurance.

He was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Thursday (May 9).

Alongside the jail sentence, Corrigan has been banned from driving for five years and four months.

Chief Inspector Forshaw added: “We are committed to doing all we can to crackdown on those who bring misery to our communities, helping to ensure Cheshire remains a hostile environment for those intent on committing crime.

“If you have any concerns about drug activity in your community, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via 101 or online at www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us .”