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Swanscombe Mercedes driver caught weaving through traffic on the A2 in Gravesend

12:49, 14 February 2023

updated: 14:27, 14 February 2023

A month after being pulled over by police for weaving through traffic on the A2 at high speed, a drug driver did the whole thing again on the M2.

Benjamin Farrugia was spotted by officers swerving in and out of traffic near Gravesend and was pulled over and asked to do a saliva test.

Farrugia tested positive for ketamine and cocaine twice after being pulled over by police. Stock picture
Farrugia tested positive for ketamine and cocaine twice after being pulled over by police. Stock picture

Testing positive for cocaine, he was arrested and further blood tests later revealed ketamine in his system.

However, a month later the 22-year-old Mercedes driver was spotted on the M2 in Medway and again pulled over because he was speeding.

This time some white powder was found in the passenger seat and he was asked to do another drug test.

This too proved positive and Farrugia, of Broomfield Road, Swanscombe, was arrested again and when further tests were done he was found to have ketamine and cocaine in his system.

He was charged with four counts of drug driving and admitted the offences when he appeared before magistrates in Sevenoaks last Thursday. February 9.

The court heard when he was pulled over the first time on the A2 on July 6, he was found with 25 micrograms of ketamine per 100 millilitres of blood in his system, the legal limit is 20.

Farrugia was pulled over by police on the M2 in Medway. Stock picture: Steve Crispe
Farrugia was pulled over by police on the M2 in Medway. Stock picture: Steve Crispe

He was also found to have 104 micrograms of benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine), per 100 millilitres of blood in his system, the legal limit is 50.

Emily Wiles, prosecuting, told the court the second time he was pulled on August 6, Farrugia also had a passenger.

This time he was found to have 102 micrograms of ketamine and 83 micrograms of benzoylecgonine in his system.

Miss Wiles added: "On July 6 officers came across a black Mercedes about 8.30pm which was seen swerving in the carriageway at excess speeds, so he was stopped and was asked to do a saliva test which was positive. A month later, it was 12.30pm and the Mercedes was seen driving at speeds of 90mph.

"Police put on their blue lights and the car initially carried on at high speeds and took a little while to stop. White powder was found in the passenger seat."

Magistrates were also told Farrugia was of previous good character and had been out clubbing when he took the drugs.

Sevenoaks Magistrates Court, Morewood Close, off London Road, Sevenoaks. Reopened in 2003. Picture: John Nurden (57538530)
Sevenoaks Magistrates Court, Morewood Close, off London Road, Sevenoaks. Reopened in 2003. Picture: John Nurden (57538530)

He only did them at weekends when out with his mates and had left it a day before he got behind the wheel.

The bench decided to place him on a 12-month community order which will see him carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and attend 10 rehabilitation sessions.

He was also banned from driving for 25 months and order to pay £85 court costs.

Magistrates also told Farrugia he should not take drugs and learn from this experience and that the matters were extremely serious.

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