A Meltham man found in a car with cannabis in it claimed that the drugs had been abandoned in the road.
Ryan Hirst, of Wetlands Road, admitted possession of the class B drug.
He was a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra stopped by police in the Milnsbridge area on January 2.
The driver escaped but the 25-year-old remained in the vehicle.
Three bags containing cannabis were seized from the rear seat and he was arrested.
Police also found a small amount of the drug in a cigarette packet belonging to Hirst.
He was arrested and told police that the cannabis was found in bin bags left at the side of the road.
These were found to contain three female flowering plants as well as smaller pieces of plants.
Hirst, who was not represented, told Kirklees Magistrates’ Court: “Me and my friends were driving down the road and we saw the bin liners and overturned pots.
“I knew what it was and I thought I would sift through them and save some money later.
“We probably had it in the car for 10 minutes before police pulled us over.”
District Judge Michael Fanning fined Hirst £65 and told him to pay £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.
He also made an order for the cannabis to be destroyed.”
