A ROUTINE speed check on the Britannia Bridge led to two drug drive arrests and a vehicle seizure.

An officer from the Roads Policing Unit was conducting speed checks on the A55 shortly before 9pm, on Monday night.

According to police, he saw a blue-coloured Audi A3 travelling at 88mph in the 50mph zone on the westbound carriageway.

The officer stopped the car which contained two men from the Republic of Ireland.

The driver, a 19-year-old, failed the roadside drugs test after testing positive for cannabis. He was arrested and taken to police custody.

His passenger was left in the vehicle to await the return of his friend so that they could continue with their journey up to Holyhead Port to catch the ferry over to Ireland.

Shortly before 2am this morning (Tuesday), another officer from the Roads Policing Unit later found the Audi and 21-year-old passenger at the Tesco car park in Bangor.

He also failed the roadside drugs test after testing positive for cannabis and he was also found to be driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and had no insurance.

He was issued a TOR (Traffic Offence Report) for the driving offences and has since been released under investigation for the drug drive offence. The Audi was also seized.

The 19-year-old man who was originally arrested was issued a GFPN (Graduated Fixed Penalty Notice) for a court deposit of £500 for the speeding offence. He was also released under investigation for the drug drive offence.

Sergeant Meurig Jones of the Roads Policing Unit said: “This was a very costly trip for both males who now have an anxious wait for the results of further tests. Had the driver been adhering to the speed limit then the chances are he would have been left to continue with his journey. Unlucky for him we were at the right place at the right time.

“Driving whilst under the influence of drugs is not just a criminal offence but also completely unacceptable. We are fully committed to making the roads safer for all and we will continue to target those who endanger their own lives and the lives of others.

“Anyone who is considering driving whilst committing one of the Fatal 5 offences should know that we will be out and about waiting for them.”