A MAN today admitted drugs and money laundering offences connected to the seizure of this suitcase stuffed with £500,000 of cash and heroin with a street value of £1.2 million.

Lawrence Flaherty, 52, of Scholes Lane, Thatto Heath, St Helens, pleaded guilty to possessing the 12 kgs of heroin with intent to supply and money laundering involving £500,000 cash.

The drugs and money were found in a suitcase when police raided a house in Scholes Avenue, Thatto Heath on Friday.

Further seizures were made during two raids on properties in Huyton and a car by TITAN, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Flaherty was further remanded in custody to Liverpool Crown Court to September 18 when he is due to be sentenced.

Officers found 12kg of the drug and £500,000 in cash during a search of a property, as revealed by the Star on Friday.

Images released by police show blocks of heroin and a black suitcase stuffed with bundles of notes.

Detective Inspector Nick Hughes, from TITAN, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) said: "TITAN is committed to tackling the blight of drugs on our streets and has already had many successes in disrupting the supply of drugs across the North West.

"We will continue, with the support of police forces across the North West, to target those involved in the supply and distribution of Class A drugs and put them behind bars."

  • A second man arrested after the seizures, who is formerly from Huyton, also faces money laundering charges but is yet to ener a plea.