A man has been jailed after police discovered almost £300,000 in cash hidden inside a padlocked suitcase beneath the driver’s seat of his car. Philip Aryeetey, 55, of Tanhouse Road, Thornton, was stopped by officers on the M57 near junction 5 on 24 October 2025. Police searched the vehicle and discovered £299,440 in cash concealed inside the locked suitcase. 
Cocaine and Taser found at home
Officers subsequently searched Aryeetey’s home, where they seized a further £2,000 in cash, 65g of cocaine and a Taser. Aryeetey pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing criminal property, possession of cocaine with intent to supply and possession of a prohibited firearm. He was sentenced to three years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, 10 September. The investigation was conducted by the Merseyside Organised Crime Partnership, a joint team involving Merseyside Police and the National Crime Agency. Detective Chief Inspector Pete Stephenson described the discovery as a “significant cash seizure”. He added: “Aryeetey thought he could lock away nearly £300,000 in cash and we wouldn’t find it. Sadly for him he’s now locked up himself.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
