Seventeen arrested in dawn raids as police target suspected organised crime group
More than 800 officers searched 24 properties across London and the south east in a joint operation with HMRC and the Financial Conduct Authority.
Seventeen people have been arrested in dawn raids at 24 properties across London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk as part of an investigation into a suspected organised crime group. More than 800 officers took part in the operation in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Metropolitan Police said the arrests followed a months-long investigation by specialist detectives working alongside HMRC and the Financial Conduct Authority. Officers from HMRC and the FCA supported the searches, and searches were continuing at a number of properties.
As part of the wider operation, the FCA has disrupted seven firms and is actively pursuing a further 30, the Met said. The financial regulator said joint action was key to disrupting groups "who abuse our financial system to launder dirty money".
These arrests mark a significant point in this investigation.Metropolitan Police
A police spokesperson said: "These arrests mark a significant point in this investigation. Those arrested are suspected of leading or being involved at a senior level in serious and organised crime and related financial offending." The 17 held, 15 men aged between 26 and 65 and two women aged 31 and 41, were arrested on suspicion of participating in the activities of an organised crime group, money laundering, cheating the public revenue, false accounting, and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.
An officer taking part in the operation was stabbed in the leg while executing a warrant at an address in Cockfosters, Barnet. He was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital, where his injuries were assessed as non-life-changing. A 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm in connection with the stabbing.
The Met said searches were ongoing and that a police presence was expected to continue at a number of the properties for some days. The arrests followed a months-long investigation, and the operation combined conventional organised crime powers with action against the financial firms suspected of moving the proceeds.
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