Met makes 17 arrests in major joint operation against organised crime group

Met officers investigating a suspected organised crime group have arrested 17 people following dawn raids at 24 properties in London and four other counties.

More than 800 officers took part in the arrest operations in the early hours of this morning – Tuesday, 29 September – at addresses in London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Searches are ongoing at a number of the properties and there is expected to be an ongoing police presence for some days.

An officer taking part in the operation was stabbed in the leg while carrying out a warrant at an address in Cockfosters, Barnet. He was treated at the scene by colleagues and paramedics before being taken to hospital where his injuries were thankfully assessed as non-life changing. We will ensure he gets all the support he needs.

This morning’s arrests are the product of many months of intense investigation by specialist Met detectives working alongside His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Officers from HMRC and the FCA are supporting with the searches.

As part of the wider operation, the FCA has disrupted seven firms and is actively pursuing a further 30.

A Met 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.

“We know the impact of serious and organised crime stretches well beyond those at senior levels of the organisations involved. Lines can often be drawn from the top, all the way to those involved in the criminality that blights communities, including serious violence and exploitation.

“Investigating these groups is among the most complex work the Met undertakes. It requires a significant investment of time and money and the expertise not just of specialist police officers but of colleagues from partner organisations like HMRC and the FCA.

“We hope these arrests show how determined we are to ensure organised crime groups cannot operate freely in London. We will work tirelessly to identify them, to gather evidence and to take action.”

A Financial Conduct Authority spokesperson said: “Tackling financial crime requires the type of partnership shown by today’s joint action and the many months of close cooperation leading to it.

“We’ll continue to work with the police and others to identify and disrupt organised crime groups who abuse our financial system to launder dirty money.”

An HMRC spokesperson said: "Today’s action highlights the importance of close collaboration between HMRC and other law enforcement partners in tackling serious and organised crime, including suspected money laundering and other criminal activity."

Details of today’s arrests:

[A] A 65-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group
• Conspiracy to commit GBH
• Money laundering
• Cheating the public revenue (tax evasion)

[B] A 31-year-old woman, arrested on suspicion of:

• Conspiracy to commit GBH
• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group

[C] A 56-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• GBH (in relation to the stabbing of the police officer)
• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group
• Money laundering
• Cheating the public revenue (tax evasion)
• False accounting
• Failure to disclose suspicion of money laundering

[D] A 64-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group
• Money laundering
• Failure to disclose suspicion of money laundering

[E] A 56-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group
• Money laundering
• False accounting
• Cheating the public revenue (tax evasion)

[F] A 47-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group
• Money laundering
• False accounting
• Cheating the public revenue (tax evasion)
• Contravening Regulation 86 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017

[G] A 31-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group
• Money laundering
• False accounting
• Cheating the public revenue (tax evasion)
• Contravening Regulation 86 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017

[H] A 30-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group
• Money laundering
• False accounting
• Cheating the public revenue (tax evasion)
• Contravening Regulation 86 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017

[I] A 26-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group
• Money laundering
• Cheating the public revenue (tax evasion)
• False accounting

[J] A 49-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group

[K] A 47-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group
• Conspiracy to commit GBH

[L] A 37-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group
• Conspiracy to commit GBH

[M] A 43-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group
• Money laundering

[N] A 41-year-old woman, arrested on suspicion of:

• Money laundering
• Cheating the public revenue (tax evasion)

[O] A 39-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Money laundering

[P] A 38-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Money laundering

[Q] A 39-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of:

• Money laundering
• Cheating the public revenue (tax evasion)

Note to media: Following today’s arrests, proceedings are now active in this case. Media are reminded of the need to exercise particular caution when considering the publication of material that could risk prejudicing future proceedings.