Breaking: Dawn raids nab £200m money laundering suspects in Bradford

FIFTEEN people were arrested in early-morning raids in Bradford, the North West and Nottinghamshire today in connection with suspected money laundering worth more than £200 million.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th May 2011, 11:42 BST

Around 250 customs investigators, assisted by police, carried out more than 20 property searches as part of the enquiry.

The arrests come as a result of a long-running customs investigation, codenamed Operation Enigma.

Four men, aged between 27 and 55, were held in Bradford, with other arrests in Rochdale, Manchester, Southport and Nottingham.

HM Revenue and Customs Deputy Director for criminal investigation Alan Lee said: “Our activity today sends out a clear message to those involved in this type of criminality. Attempts to launder the proceeds of crime are treated extremely seriously by HMRC, and we will relentlessly pursue any individuals or crime gangs believed to be actively involved in money laundering.”

HMRC said the investigation remained “live and active”.