{"id":431818,"date":"2025-09-17T18:47:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T18:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/431818\/"},"modified":"2025-09-17T18:47:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T18:47:11","slug":"police-find-17m-of-ketamine-after-pulling-over-van-on-the-east-lancs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/431818\/","title":{"rendered":"Police find \u00a317m of ketamine after pulling over van on the East Lancs"},"content":{"rendered":"

A 46-year-old man from Liverpool has been arrested<\/p>\n

18:07, 17 Sep 2025Updated 18:35, 17 Sep 2025<\/p>\n

\"AA search of the vehicle uncovered 35 white sacks containing approximately 875 kilograms of ketamine(Image: NCA)<\/p>\n

Police have seized a huge haul of ketamine worth an estimated \u00a317 million following a vehicle stop in Merseyside. Officers from the Merseyside Organised Crime Partnership (OCP) and Merseyside Police stopped a van on the East Lancashire Road<\/a> on the afternoon of Monday, September 16.<\/p>\n

A search of the vehicle uncovered 35 white sacks<\/a> containing approximately 875 kilograms of ketamine. The driver, a 46-year-old man from Liverpool, was arrested at the scene and taken into custody for questioning.<\/p>\n

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Roberts<\/a> of the Merseyside OCP described the seizure as a major success in the fight against organised crime.<\/a><\/p>\n

He said: \u201cMerseyside OCP has made a significant seizure of a drug which is posing an increasing threat to UK communities. Our operation has ensured that this large quantity of ketamine will never make it on to UK streets and endanger drug users.<\/p>\n

\"AA close up of one of the sacks(Image: NCA)<\/p>\n

\u201cMerseyside OCP is working relentlessly to identify and arrest organised criminals who are profiting from the destruction and violence caused by the drugs trade.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Liverpool, councillors have said the region is in the grip of a \u2018ketamine crisis\u2019<\/a>. According to the Office for National Statistics, 2.9% of 16 to 24-year-olds reported using ketamine between April 2023 and March 2024.<\/p>\n

This was down slightly from the previous year, when usage levels hit a record 3.8% for the age group.<\/p>\n

In January, the Home Office said it would seek expert advice on reclassifying the drug from its current controlled class B status to the more serious class A.<\/p>\n

Currently, the maximum penalty for supplying and producing ketamine is up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.<\/p>\n

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