£350K Cash Haul as NCA Smashes Crime Gang Smuggling Loot to Albania
Four suspects linked to a sophisticated cash-smuggling ring have been nabbed in a major National Crime Agency (NCA) raid. The organised crime group is believed to funnel huge amounts of dirty money out of the UK and into Albania.
Big Bust in Dover and Tottenham
On April 13, a 48-year-old Albanian man was caught at Dover with nearly £200,000 cash in a vehicle reportedly heading to Albania. Simultaneously, three other males aged 34, 22, and 17 were arrested in Tottenham Hale, London, with a further £150,000 cash seized from another vehicle.
Two Years Under Surveillance
The NCA, working with Border Force, have been tailing the gang for two years. The crooks operate under the cover of a courier company but move illicit cash for Albanian-run organised crime groups.
The probe kicked off in February 2022 when Border Force stopped the 48-year-old at Folkestone’s Channel Tunnel outbound controls. Officers found an astonishing £390,000 stuffed in tin foil inside his Mercedes Sprinter van destined for Tirana.
Searching his Haringey home uncovered an extra £150,000 in hidden cash. Meanwhile, the 34-year-old had earlier been caught with £20,000 in his car back in September 2022. Another haul of £43,980 linked to the group was seized in August 2023.
Crackdown Continues as Suspects Released on Bail
The older two men remain under investigation but were released on conditional bail. The younger suspects were released under investigation pending further inquiries.
NCA operations manager Paul Orchard said: “Money launderers enable serious criminals like drugs and firearms dealers to carry out horrendous crimes that damage society. Shutting down these cash washes is vital to protect the public. Organised crime’s goal is profit, so targeting the money hits the heart of their criminal business model.”
