A police dog helped track down a man who ran away from police, after 3kg of cocaine was found in car on the M61.

Thanks to police dog Rufus, a 57-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. He is currently in custody.

Officers also shared some other activity from the last 24 hours, including a stop and search on the M6.

£35,000 in cash was found after police stopped a Skoda Superb. Following a short chase, the driver was arrested. A 24-year-old man, of no fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, dangerous driving, failing to stop, and entering the UK illegally.

In the last year, Lancashire’s Road Crime Team (RCT)  has made 643 arrests, seized £9million worth of drugs, recovered 215 stolen vehicles, and seized £2.3million cash from criminals.

A police spokesperson said: “Set up just over a year ago our roads crime team aims to disrupt criminals who use Lancashire’s roads in their offending.

“Having the team has significantly boosted our ability to tackle offences such as drug-couriering, burglary, money laundering and human trafficking.

“Huge numbers of arrests have been made by the RCT right across Lancashire, with large seizures of drugs, cash and stolen vehicles made.

“The work of the team has also seen more than 30 people being sent to prison for a total of 80 years, with more on remand and awaiting trial’.

“Significant sentences imposed by the courts after investigations by the RCT include two men being jailed for nine years and 10 months and eight years and eight months, for possession of cocaine with intent to supply in Lancaster’.

“We are absolutely committed to reducing crime and bringing criminals to justice and our Road Crime Team helps us do just that’.

“The activity of the last 12 months or so is just the start – we will continue to target and arrest the criminals and crime gangs who think they can use the roads of our county with impunity to facilitate their illegal activity.

“My message to these people is that serious criminal activity will not be tolerated in Lancashire.”