A 20-year-old man has been arrested after suspected drugs were thrown from a van during a police pursuit on the M5 in the early hours of Monday.
Officers from the Roads Policing Unit were patrolling the motorway at around 3am when they spotted a van which had flagged up on police systems.
An officer activated their lights and sirens to try to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to pull over and a pursuit began.
The chase continued along the M5 before the driver left the motorway at junction 12 for Gloucester.
Police say suspected drugs were then thrown from the van during the pursuit.
The driver eventually stopped in the Quedgeley area before getting out and running away.
A short foot chase followed, with officers detaining the man nearby.
Police searched along the route taken during the pursuit and found discarded bags containing suspected drugs.
A search of the van also uncovered a large quantity of suspected drugs and bank notes.
The man, from Emersons Green in South Gloucestershire, was arrested on suspicion of:
- Dangerous driving;
- Failing to stop for police;
- Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs;
- Possession of an offensive weapon in a public place;
- Driving without third-party insurance;
- Driving without a licence; and
- Driving a vehicle while above the legal drug limit.
He remains in police custody for questioning.
Anyone with concerns or information about drug dealing can report it to police via Gloucestershire Police.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via Crimestoppers.
