A drug driver reached 120mph on the M65 motorway after overtaking an unmarked police car.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told that after he was stopped, Lukaz Karas was found to be in possession of amphetamines and tested positive for cannabis.

Karas, 41, of Rope Close, Preston, pleaded guilty to drug driving and possession of amphetamine.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Henry Prescott, prosecuting, said late on March 23 an officer was driving an unmarked police car on the M65 westbound when he was passed by a BMW M4. He began to follow and reached speeds of 120mph.

“He informed control and then activated his lights and the car eventually stopped,” said Miss Draper.

“When he approached the car he could immediately smell cannabis coming from within.”

A breath sample tested negative for alcohol but a drug swipe was positive for cannabis and amphetamine. The level of amphetamine was below the legal limit.

He also had just shy of a gram of amphetamines, a Class B drug, in his possession.

Mr Prescott said Karas had a previous conviction for drug driving in 2020.

Zabair Afzal, by way of mitigation, said his client was working at a garage and he was test driving the car.

“He says he is a casual user of cannabis and had smoked some with his friends that day,” said Mr Afzal.

“Since this incident he has not used either drug.”