{"id":688267,"date":"2026-01-11T05:30:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T05:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/688267\/"},"modified":"2026-01-11T05:30:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T05:30:22","slug":"overwhelming-smell-led-police-to-400k-drug-seizure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/688267\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Overwhelming’ smell led police to \u00a3400k drug seizure"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two men have since been jailed\"Left<\/p>\n

Left to right: Sergiu Man and Sebastian Forgaciu(Image: Merseyside Police)<\/p>\n

Two men have been jailed for 10 years after police uncovered drugs worth up to \u00a3400,000 in a Liverpool flat. Officers were in Onslow Road, Fairfield, in June 2024 attempting to arrest a wanted man on behalf of the City of London Police when they noticed a strong smell of cannabis coming from a nearby flat.<\/p>\n

Police knocked on the door and were met by an occupant, later identified as Sergiu Man, now 33. Officers reported being hit by an “overwhelming” smell of cannabis as the door was opened. Man was cautioned and arrested<\/a> on suspicion of possession of a Class B drug.<\/p>\n

A search of the property was carried out, during which officers found a second man, Sebastian Forgaciu, now 35, who was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a class B drug.<\/a><\/p>\n

During the search, officers discovered a large quantity of suspected Class A and Class B drugs, including pink cocaine and amphetamine. Police also recovered an industrial tablet press machine, digital scales, cannabis, magic mushrooms and ecstasy tablets.<\/p>\n

\"Police<\/p>\n

Police recovered an industrial tablet press machine from the flat(Image: Merseyside Police)<\/p>\n

In total, more than 5kg of MDMA was seized. Experts said the amount was enough to produce around 40,000 ecstasy tablets, with an estimated street value of between \u00a3200,000 and \u00a3400,000.<\/p>\n

Both men were later charged and went on to be found guilty following a trial of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.<\/p>\n

Man and Forgaciu were each sentenced to 10 years in prison, with the sentences to run concurrently.<\/a><\/p>\n

Detective Sergeant Paul Doran from Operation Hammer, our force wide drug investigation team said: \u201cIt is thanks to the investigative skills of our officers that these two men were promptly detained and a large quantity of drugs were seized and subsequently destroyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe welcome the sentencing and remain committed to pursuing anybody concerned in the supply of drugs across our region.<\/p>\n

\"Drugs<\/p>\n

Drugs found in the flat(Image: Merseyside Police)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope this sends a clear message to anybody involved in profiting from dealing drugs and misery in our communities across Merseyside that you will be prosecuted and brought to justice. \u201c<\/p>\n

Anyone with information about who is selling or dealing drugs in their community should contact the Merseyside Police social media desk @MerPolCC on X and Facebook<\/a>. You can also report information via the website: https:\/\/www.merseyside.police.uk\/ro\/report\/ocr\/af\/how-to-report-a-crime\/<\/a> or call 101.Alternatively, 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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