FOUR men accused of planning to distribute drugs worth millions of pounds appeared in court yesterday.

The four were charged with conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, and appeared at Gateshead Magistrates' Court.

It follows an incident on Friday, when police found a tonne of cannabis resin with a street value of £2.8m in the rear of a van.

The four men, all from Tyneside, are David Stanley Bolam, 29, from Fourstones, West Denton, Newcastle, Kevin Robin McMahon, 38, from Townfield Gardens, Newburn, David Jeavons, 39, from Burns Close, Callerton, and Philip Joseph Donald, 39, from Bluebell Dene, Newbiggin Hall, both Newcastle.

They were remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday.