More than 800 officers from the Metropolitan Police Service coordinated a large-scale operation targeting an organised crime gang suspected of running a major money laundering enterprise across London and neighboring counties. The cross-jurisdictional raids took place early yesterday, resulting in 17 arrests.
The operation, described by police as one of the largest of its kind on UK soil, spanned the capital, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Suffolk. Officers executed warrants at 24 properties believed to be connected to the criminal network. The suspects arrested include 15 men and two women, ranging in age from 26 to 65. Eleven are accused specifically of money laundering, while others face allegations including tax evasion and false accounting.
During a raid in Barnet, North London, a police officer was stabbed in the leg. Paramedics and colleagues provided immediate medical attention at the scene before the officer was taken to hospital for emergency treatment. The Metropolitan Police later confirmed the injuries were not life-threatening. A 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm in connection with the stabbing.
The extensive operation followed months of detailed investigation by specialist detectives from the Met, working alongside His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA has simultaneously disrupted seven companies linked to the criminal network and is actively pursuing investigations into a further 30.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson emphasized the complexity and significance of the investigation, noting the wide-ranging impact of organised crime beyond senior figures to include serious violence and exploitation in affected communities. “These arrests mark a significant point in this investigation,” the spokesperson said, highlighting the extensive resources and inter-agency cooperation required to confront such criminal networks.
Both the FCA and HMRC reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing collaboration with law enforcement to identify and dismantle organised crime groups that seek to exploit the financial system. The FCA stressed the importance of partnership in addressing financial crime, while HMRC highlighted the critical role of coordinated efforts in tackling money laundering and other related offences.
The operation underlines a continuing drive by UK authorities to disrupt organised criminal enterprises operating within and beyond London, focusing on the financial mechanisms that underpin such illicit activity. Further inquiries and legal proceedings are expected as investigations continue.