News
Northern man jailed after being found with £1 million of cocaine in a bag for life
Police said he appeared nervous and was “visibly shaking” when speaking to officers.
Georgina Pellant -
14th February 2022 
A 27-year-old man has been jailed after police found him in possession of £1 million of cocaine - hidden inside a bag for life.
The man was pulled over by police, who said he was 'visibly shaking' as they stopped his car.
After searching his car, officers found a bag for life containing 10kgs worth of cocaine - a Class A drug with an estimated street value of £1 million.
Merseyside Police explained that on Saturday 8 January, officers stopped a black Volkswagen on Heysham Road in the Netherton area of Sefton, which was being driven by 27-year-old John Butler, of Clements Way in Tower Hill.
Police said Butler appeared to be quite nervous when speaking to officers.
After the vehicle was stopped, police confirmed that officers conducted a search of the car and subsequently found a bag for life – which appears to have been an insulated bag, as per the shared image – concealing a large amount of the Class A drug cocaine.
The drugs seized from Butler’s vehicle were examined by Merseyside Police who then estimated their relevant street value.
Butler was then arrested, charged, and remanded in custody.
On Tuesday 8 February, Butler was jailed for eight years at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
Speaking on the incident and the sentence handed down, Detective Inspector Furlong from Merseyside Police said: “We welcome the significant sentence handed down to Butler which shows that we simply will not tolerate those who put our communities at significant risk by supplying drugs and the misery they bring.
“Thanks to the work of our officers, a significant quantity of drugs can no longer cause fear and harm on the streets of Merseyside.
“Every time our officers disrupt the activity of criminals by arresting suspects and seizing illicit drugs and cash, it removes their ability to cause further harm and to use the misery of others to line their pockets.
“Remember that every time someone buys drugs from criminals they are fuelling an illicit business that directly impacts the safety of people in our communities [and] I would urge anyone aware of drug dealing in their area to let us know so that we can take the direct action we have taken today, and improve the quality of life for people right across Merseyside.”
Featured Image – Merseyside Police
