17 Arrested in Dawn Raids Across Multiple Counties Investigating Suspected Organized Crime Group
Police, including the Metropolitan Police, HMRC, and the FCA, conducted dawn raids across several counties, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals suspected of involvement in serious and organized crime and related financial offenses.
)
According to BBC UK, police investigating a suspected organized crime group executed dawn raids at 24 properties spanning London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Suffolk, leading to the arrest of 17 people. More than 800 officers participated in the operation during the early hours of Tuesday. The Metropolitan Police stated that searches are continuing at several of the properties, and a police presence is anticipated for several days.
During the operation in Cockfosters, Barnet, an officer sustained a stab wound to the leg while executing a warrant; the injuries were reported as non-life changing. The arrests were part of an investigation involving the Met alongside His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The Met reported that the FCA has disrupted seven businesses and is actively pursuing another 30.
A spokesperson noted that these arrests represent a significant stage in the investigation. The individuals taken into custody are suspected of being involved at a senior level or leading activities related to serious and organized crime and associated financial offenses.
Specifically, 15 men, aged between 26 and 65, and two women, aged 31 and 41, were arrested. They are being held on suspicion of participating in the activities of an organized crime group, money laundering, cheating the public revenue, false accounting, and conspiracy to commit GBH. Furthermore, a 56-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of GBH related to the stabbing.
)
)
)