Liverpool Driver Jailed for Over Five Years After Police Haul £17m Ketamine Stash Hidden in Kitchen Worktops
£17 Million Worth of Ketamine Seized on East Lancashire Road
A Liverpool man’s big drug run was busted after cops found one of the UK’s biggest ever ketamine shipments concealed in his van. Paul Farrelly, 46, was nabbed by Merseyside Police and the National Crime Agency on September 16 while driving a VW Crafter along East Lancashire Road.
Officers grew suspicious of Farrelly’s jittery behaviour and searched his van. They found 22 industrial sacks stuffed with a mysterious white powder.
Forensic tests revealed the stash was ketamine — a powerful drug usually used as horse tranquilliser but dangerously abused by humans.
Ketamine Hidden Inside Hollowed-Out Kitchen Worktops
A deeper search uncovered more drugs cleverly stashed inside hollow kitchen worktops inside the van. In total, officers seized 875kg of ketamine, valued at an eye-watering £17 million on the street.
Farrelly Pleads Guilty and Gets Prison Sentence
The 46-year-old was charged with possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply. He pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced immediately to five years and four months behind bars.
DCI Tony Roberts, Merseyside Organised Crime Partnership, said: “This is one of the largest ketamine seizures ever in the UK. Thanks to our team, Farrelly’s haul won’t harm vulnerable users. Many see ketamine as a cheap party drug, but it can cause lifelong mental and physical damage. Organised criminals like Farrelly don’t care about the devastation they cause. We’re determined to keep these drugs off our streets.”
Senior Crown Prosecutor Andrew Blennerhassett added: “Ketamine’s legal use is mostly veterinary, but its illegal use leads to serious health issues. Farrelly was deeply involved in drug dealing, though whether he was part of a bigger network remains unclear. Thanks go to the Merseyside Organised Crime Partnership and Merseyside Police’s Matrix Disruption Team for their excellent work keeping our communities safe.”
Matrix Team Deal Serious Blow to Ketamine Traders
Merseyside Police’s Matrix Disruption Team, who target top-tier organised crime, played a key role in Farrelly’s arrest. This massive bust deals a heavy blow to ketamine trafficking in the UK.
