Kirkby man jailed after £1m worth of cocaine found in ‘bag for life’

A man has been jailed after police found £1 million worth of cocaine hidden in his car in a ‘bag for life’.

Police said John Butler, 27, from Tower Hill in Kirkby, appeared ‘nervous and visibly shaking’ when they stopped his black Volkswagen on Heysham Road in Netherton on January 8.

Merseyside Police searched Butler’s car and found a bag containing 10kgs of cocaine, with a street value of around £1m.

He was arrested, charged and remanded in custody.

Butler was jailed for eight years at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday after admitting to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

‘We will not tolerate those who put our communities at risk’

Detective inspector Paula Furlong 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.

“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.”