UK Authorities Arrest 17 in Joint Organised Crime and Money Laundering Operation

UK authorities have arrested 17 people in a major operation targeting a suspected organised crime group, with allegations including money laundering, failure to disclose suspicions of money laundering, false accounting and tax evasion.

More than 800 Metropolitan Police officers took part in searches at 24 properties across London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk on 29 September 2026. The operation followed months of investigation involving the Met, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The FCA said it had disrupted seven firms as part of the wider operation and was actively pursuing a further 30.

Several of those arrested are suspected of money laundering. Two men were also arrested on suspicion of failure to disclose suspicion of money laundering, while three men are suspected of contravening Regulation 86 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017, alongside other alleged offences.

The arrests form part of an active investigation. The allegations have not been established by a court, and the Metropolitan Police has cautioned that proceedings are active.

Source

Metropolitan Police, “Met makes 17 arrests in major joint operation against organised crime group”, 29 September 2026.