A solicitor, who was found to be almost 17 times the legal drug-driving limit when he was pulled over on the A27, has been banned from driving for 15 months. James Owo, 52, of Binfield Road, London, was stopped by police on the road near Fontwell in January, after the Mercedes he was driving showed as being uninsured. Police said when officers approached the vehicle, they detected a 'pungent' smell, suspected to be cannabis. Owo then failed a roadside drugs test, and on closer inspection of his person and vehicle, officers found several small quantities of herbal cannabis, as well as a small quantity of white powder. As well as his driving ban, Owo was also ordered to pay a total of £470 in fines and costs. Arresting officer, PC Tom Van Der Wee, of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said: "If we suspect someone has been driving under the influence of drugs, we will require them to undergo a roadside DrugWipe test which involves taking a swab of the suspect's mouth and tongue. "Owo repeatedly denied having taken any drugs, but our tests proved otherwise. "During this process, he obliged by putting his tongue out for me to take a swab sample. "However, when I told him to put his tongue back in his mouth, he was unable to do so without the use of his fingers. "This further indicated to me that he was clearly under the influence of drugs. "Driving in such a state is hugely irresponsible, and it is fortunate Owo didn't kill himself or someone else that night. "We will continue to respond to reports of drink and drug-drivers 365 days a year as we aim to keep all road users safe, and deal robustly with those who break the law and put other innocent road users' lives at risk."
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