Noticing a suspected drug deal and the smell of cannabis led police to seize cocaine “worth £20,000”.

Officers spotted suspicious behaviour and smelt the drug on Monday afternoon (February 19), before stopping an Audi A4 in Shepherds Lane, Mill End, Rickmansworth.

A vehicle search resulted in around £1,000 cash and two mobile phones being found. The driver then tested positive for cannabis and was arrested.

Herts Police said a “related search” of an address in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, the next day, recovered around a quarter kilo of cocaine along with more than £5,700 in cash, a mobile phone, two extendable batons, and drugs paraphernalia.

According to police, the seized drugs have an estimated street value of £20,000.

Liam O’Brien, 35, has been charged with cannabis possession with intent to supply and possession of an offensive weapon (baton).

O’Brien, of no fixed address, was remanded ahead of an appearance in St Albans Crown Court on March 20.

Detective Sergeant Tony Quince: “This fantastic result was achieved with teamwork; the proactive stop was made by Watford-based Operational Support Group officers, who were assisted by colleagues from the Three Rivers Operation Scorpion team."