Stop and search leads to drugs and cash

ASTOP search near a fast food restaurant led police to uncover a safe containing £5,000 and a haul of Class A drugs.

Cocaine, ketamine and MDMA were all seized after an initial arrest in Southport concluded with a brief chase through Ormskirk.

The drama unfolded when officers from Merseyside Police stopped a car driven by a 19-yearold man near the McDonald’s at Ocean Plaza.

The 19-year-old driver was searched and found with a large amount of cash and eight wraps of suspected cocaine.

The teenager was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and during questioning told police about a safe with more drugs and cash.

Officers made their way to an address on Derby Street in Ormskirk, where upon their arrival, another man and woman were attempting to remove the safe.

The pair made off in another car but were stopped on Ormskirk Road, Bickerstaffe, where the car was searched and the safe recovered. Inside, officers located a “substantial amount” of suspected uncut cocaine, ketamine and MDMA as well as drugs paraphernalia and £5,000 cash.

A 37-year-old man and a woman, 39, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A and perverting the course of justice.

All three were taken into custody for questioning and enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.

Targeted Inspector Dave Uren said: “Results like this show the true value of stop searches and the recoveries that can be made.

“This is a hugely powerful tool which allows the team to keep those who are acting responsibly safe, giving them the opportunity to go about their daily lives with the knowledge that there is one less dangerous weapon, person or substance on our streets.

“Anyone that knows someone involved in serious violence, exploiting vulnerable people or more general criminal activity is asked to please contact us – together we can make sure Sefton remains a safe place for all.”