POLICE arrested a man after they unearthed four kilograms of suspected MDMA after a van was stopped.

Officers arrested the suspect after a vehicle was stopped in St Helens when the driver was seen using a mobile at the wheel on Monday.

Officers on King Street spotted the white Ford Transit at 4.40pm on November 11 and stopped the driver, who they suspected was not insured and using a mobile phone while driving.

While searching the van, four kilograms of white powder was found. The powder and the van have been taken for further forensic examination which police say is ongoing.

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A 40-year-old man from Bolton was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (MDMA), using a mobile phone while driving, and using a motor vehicle without third-party insurance or a valid test certificate.

He has been taken into custody to be interviewed.

The suspected MDMA seized by policeThe suspected MDMA seized by police (Image: Merseyside Police)

Chief Inspector Jay Crellin said: “This arrest demonstrates perfectly the value of proactive policing on our roads, and shows yet again how determined our officers are to protect the public from harm.

“Response and Roads Policing officers play a crucial role in keeping other road users safe by stopping those who risk the safety of others, by speeding or by using mobiles at the wheel.

“But in stopping vehicles they can also disrupt criminals as they try to line their pockets by distributing their illicit goods across Merseyside using the road network.

“We know that the trade of illegal drugs is often enforced with violence and intimidation on our streets, and preys on vulnerable people.

“We are committed to stopping dealers from operating here and will use all tools at our disposal to stop them in their tracks, to protect people from the reckless disregard they show our communities.”

  • Anyone with information on drug dealing in their area should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.  You can also call 101 or 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.