POLICE SEIZE £10M COCAINE IN LIVERPOOL RAIDS

Merseyside Police seized more than 100 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of £10 million from a residential address in Old Swan, Liverpool, on Wednesday. A 53-year-old woman was arrested at the property and held on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. She remained in custody at a local police station for questioning. The seizure formed part of an investigation into county lines dealing activity.

The operation represents the second significant class A drug seizure in Merseyside within a week. Officers also recovered an estimated 38 kilograms of suspected cocaine, valued at £2.6 million, in a separate operation. That seizure occurred when police stopped and searched a grey Volkswagen van on Bridge Road in Roby on Tuesday and discovered five large shopping bags filled with blocks of white powder in the vehicle's rear. A 40-year-old man from Huyton was arrested in connection with that discovery on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cocaine, concern in the supply of cocaine, and acquiring or possessing criminal property.

Detective Inspector Gary Stratton of Merseyside Police stated the property in Old Swan had been used to conceal the cocaine. He described organised crime as "hugely damaging to our communities", often involving intimidation and violence. Merseyside Police confirmed that Project Medusa, the force's dedicated response to county lines activity, led both operations. The force said it works to intercept weapons, drugs and illicit cash whilst identifying individuals vulnerable to exploitation by organised crime groups.