Man posing as private hire driver arrested in Merseyside drug bust
- Perry Richardson
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
Merseyside Police have arrested two men and seized a quantity of suspected Class A drugs and thousands in cash, after a man was found operating a vehicle made to look like a private hire taxi.
Officers stopped a blue BMW displaying a taxi licence plate on Deyes Lane in Maghull at around 8.30pm on Wednesday 3 September. After searching the vehicle, three bags of white powder and £1,000 in cash were recovered. The driver was arrested at the scene.
A 31-year-old man from West Derby was taken into custody on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, believed to be cocaine, and for acquiring or possessing criminal property.
Following the arrest, officers visited a property on Appleton Road in Walton. As police arrived, a man was seen leaving the address carrying a large bag and entering a van. The vehicle was stopped, and inside the bag officers found a safe containing 20 bags of white powder, a Rolex watch, and a large amount of cash.
A 42-year-old man from Melling was arrested on suspicion of possessing MDMA and acquiring or possessing criminal property. He was taken to a police station for questioning.
Both men have since been released under investigation as inquiries continue.
The operation formed part of the Safer Streets Summer initiative, which aims to tackle serious crime and anti-social behaviour across Merseyside. The campaign includes high-visibility patrols and forms part of the wider Government-backed Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which promises more officers on patrol in town centres and hotspot areas across England and Wales.
Inspector Ian Cowell said: “These arrests form part of an extensive ongoing investigation, and our enquiries will continue into the suspects and their alleged activities.
“Our work to reduce the harm caused by drug supply in Merseyside continues every single day.
“People involved in organised crime destroy communities and the lives of vulnerable drug users as well as those they coerce into dealing for them.
“Every seizure, arrest, charge and conviction we make disrupts their networks, and I ask that anyone with information about this kind of activity comes forward so we can find those responsible and bring them to justice.”
