Big Bust in Belgravia: NCA Nabs Emirati Money Laundering Boss
A top suspect in a massive international money laundering ring has been arrested in London, accused of funneling tens of millions out of the UK. The National Crime Agency swooped on a 46-year-old Emirati man at his Lowndes Square flat in Belgravia around lunchtime today.
£100 Million Smuggled in Suitcases
The suspect is believed to have coordinated travel for at least 26 couriers, who collectively moved an eye-watering £100 million in dirty cash from the UK to Dubai. NCA detectives say couriers stuffed suitcases full of criminal cash, carrying millions at a time.
Couriers Caught Red-Handed
- Tara Hanlon, 31, from Leeds, was caught at Heathrow in October 2020 trying to sneak out nearly £2 million in suitcases. She later admitted to smuggling an extra £3.5 million on other trips and is now serving 34 months behind bars.
- Zdenek Kamaryt, 38, a Czech national, was nabbed at Heathrow in November 2020 carrying £1.4 million en route to Dubai. He pleaded guilty and got 26 months in jail this March.
So far, 21 more suspected couriers tied to the network have been interviewed. Ten were arrested in a series of raids back in May but were released under investigation.
NCA Warns Organised Crime Thrives on Money Movement
“The man arrested today is suspected of having played a key role in the movement of tens of millions of pounds of criminal cash out of the UK, where it could be laundered to invest in further criminality,” said NCA senior investigating officer Ian Truby.
“This criminal network is one of the biggest we have ever investigated, paying couriers thousands to carry millions stuffed into suitcases. This type of activity is the lifeblood of organised crime, which cannot function without it.”
“The man remains in custody, being questioned, and our investigation is ongoing.”
