Two arrested and thousands of pounds seized in Thatto Heath

Officers found thousands of pounds hidden under a car seat after stopping an Audi in Thatto Heath on Wednesday 18 March.

A man and woman were arrested after patrols spotted a black Audi A1 appearing to attempt to evade them before stopping it on Upland Road.

They searched the vehicle under the Misuse of Drugs Act and detained the driver and passenger.

Between £5-6,000 in cash was found under the driver’s seat, and hundreds of pounds found in his pocket. After searching a property, officers also recovered suspected cocaine, cannabis and nitrous oxide.

A 23-year-old man from Rainford and 21-year-old woman from St Helens were arrested on suspicion of possession of criminal property. The man was additionally arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A, B and C controlled drugs.

Both have been released under investigation.

Detective Inspector Jimmy Rotheram said: “The officers on proactive patrol realised the driver of the car was acting suspiciously, and took the necessary action.

“Their intuition has ultimately led to the discovery and seizure of a significant quantity of cash as well as drugs.

“If you have any information about people who may have acquired cash from criminality, please come forward and help us make your communities safer.

“We will make an assessment on all information provided and look to take positive action.”

Anyone with information on the suspected storage and supply of drugs should contact Merseyside Police social media desk using X or Facebook @MerPolCC. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.