£815k Cash Stash Found in Haringey Drug Bust
Elisian Belishaku, 32, of New River Avenue, Haringey, pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court on 19 November to three counts of possessing and concealing criminal property.
Traffic Stop Uncovers Massive Cash Haul
On Tuesday, 26 May, around 5.30pm, Met Police’s Operation Venice Scorpion team pulled over a suspicious vehicle in Colney Hatch Lane, N10. The car, registered in Cumbria and currently shown as ‘in trade’, was being driven by Belishaku – who was neither insured nor licensed to drive in the UK.
A search revealed around £15,000 in cash stashed in blue carrier bags on the back seat. Belishaku had no explanation for carrying such a large amount of money.
Home Raid Finds £800k More Cash
He was arrested under the Proceeds of Crime Act and taken to a north London police station. Officers then raided his Haringey home, finding keys to another vehicle parked in an underground car park.
Inside the second vehicle, cops uncovered a staggering £800,000 in cash packed into shoeboxes and rucksacks.
Met’s Economic Crime Unit Cracks Case
Belishaku was charged on 27 May and remanded in custody, set to appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court the next day.
“The evidence was so strong he had no choice but to plead guilty,” said Detective Superintendent Gary Miles, head of the Met’s Economic Crime Unit. “This bust highlights the vital role of routine vehicle stops in catching criminals and exposing serious crimes.”
“There’s no good reason to carry that much cash outside a bank unless it’s from illegal activity. Our officers work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice and protect London communities.”
