Taxi driver caught with £26,680 in suspected drug money near Penrith
A taxi driver caught carrying £26,680 in suspected drug money after police stopped his Audi on the M6 near Penrith has been given a 12 month community order.
Vladimir Vismanis, 49, was driving south between junctions 41 and 40 shortly before 6pm on October 2, 2025, when officers noticed his grey Audi A6.
Carlisle Crown Court heard that the vehicle was registered as a private hire taxi outside Cumbria and had made a short return journey to the Glasgow area.
Vismanis, of Scholes in Wigan, previously admitted possessing or acquiring criminal property.
As part of his sentence, he must complete five rehabilitation activity days and a six month drug rehabilitation requirement. He was also fined £50 and ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge.
Driver appeared nervous after police stop
Prosecutor Tim Evans told the court that officers activated their blue lights after seeing the Audi travelling south on the motorway.
The car allegedly took some time to pull over. Officers also reported seeing the driver moving inside the vehicle as though he was trying to move or hide something.
Once stopped, Vismanis appeared nervous and told police that he had travelled to Paisley to see a woman.
When asked about his movements while the police car was following him, he claimed he had been caught in traffic and had used a bottle to urinate.
Vismanis then told officers there was around £30,000 in cash inside the vehicle.
He claimed that the money came from the sale of a house following a separation from a former partner. The prosecution said that explanation was untrue.
Cash found in bundles
Police discovered a total of £26,680 in the Audi.
The money included £14,260 in Scottish banknotes, £12,020 in English notes and £400 in Bank of Ulster notes.
Many of the notes were wrapped in elastic bands. Some bundles had a high-value note placed around the outside, while one bundle was made up entirely of £50 notes.
The prosecution argued that the form of the cash, the short journey and the movements of the vehicle were consistent with the collection of criminal money.
The court heard that the Audi had been recorded by cameras in the Glasgow area after leaving Lancashire at around 8am earlier that day.
Mr Evans said the cash was, “in all probability”, connected to the supply of drugs.
Cocaine debt left driver vulnerable
Andrew Evans, defending, said Vismanis had no previous convictions and had struggled with cocaine use.
Judge Michael Fanning said background reports showed that the defendant had built up a debt of around £6,000 because of his cocaine habit.
The judge concluded that this had left Vismanis vulnerable to exploitation by others.
Vismanis received a 12 month community order rather than an immediate prison sentence.
Alongside the rehabilitation requirements, he must pay the £50 fine and £114 surcharge. The court said he could face seven days in prison if the money owed is not paid.
