Thames Valley Police officers stopped a Mercedes C250 on the M4 between Newbury and Reading in the early hours of Monday 9 November 2026 after the car was driven in the outside lane at around 90mph.[1] The stop began as a suspected middle lane hogging offence that officers initially expected to end in a careless driving ticket.[2]

Both occupants of the car were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug.[1] The driver gave a positive roadside drug wipe for cannabis and officers found herbal cannabis and cannabis resin.[1] The driver claimed to hold a Spanish driving licence but could not produce it, and the only UK licence officers identified was provisional.[3] A search in custody found a knife concealed by the driver, and the passenger was carrying a two-foot zombie knife tucked into his waistband.[1] Several thousand pounds in cash was recovered from the two occupants.[1] The Mercedes was seized and has since been reclaimed by the finance company.[1]

The passenger, an 18-year-old, pleaded guilty at Slough Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was bailed pending sentencing on 4 January.[1] The BBC reported that the passenger’s guilty plea related to possession of an offensive weapon.[3] The driver remains bailed pending further enquiries and blood analysis.[1]

The Reading Chronicle dated the stop to the early hours of Monday 9 November 2026.[2]