£400,000 Cash and Luxury Haul Seized in Major Raids
Police swooped on suspected crime bosses, snapping up over £400,000 in cash, 41 luxury watches, two cars, and a mountain of designer goods and artwork. The haul came after 28 simultaneous warrants were executed on Wednesday 23 March 2022.
Drug and Fraud Rings Targeted
The raids focused on individuals suspected of complex fraud and supplying vast quantities of cocaine. Allegations include money laundering, tax fraud, and abuse of Covid-19 bounce back loans.
Arrests Made as Crime Network Cracks
- Nine men, aged 28 to 50, are held on suspicion of conspiring to supply large amounts of cocaine and other drug offences.
- Eight others—seven men and one woman, aged 29 to 53—are arrested over fraud charges including money laundering, cheating the public revenue, and concealing criminal property.
All suspects remain in custody as police continue their enquiries.
Multi-Force Operation Across South East
Warrants were executed in Kent (14), Sussex (7), London (3), Essex (2), and Suffolk (2). Officers from Kent Police, Essex Police, Sussex Police, Suffolk Constabulary, and the Metropolitan Police worked together.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs experts joined serious crime detectives on the ground, teaming up for this complex investigation.
Assistant Chief Constable Hails ‘Significant Hit’ on Organised Crime
“Although we remain at early stages, significant action has been taken against a group involved in highly organised, cross-border criminality,” said Assistant Chief Constable Andy Pritchard, Head of Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.
“This success is down to outstanding collaboration with five police forces and HMRC. Our shared resources have dealt a severe blow to this organised crime group. We’ll keep working in unison to ensure robust and proportionate action is carried out.”
