A further two people suspected of couriering large quantities of cash for an organised crime group have been charged as part of a National Crime Agency investigation.
Update 2 December 2019
Joe Round, 30, from Blewitt Street, Pensnett, Dudley and Louise Smith, 33, from School Street, Brierley Hill, Dudley were charged today (Monday 2 December) with conspiring to launder money. They appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court today, and were released on conditional bail until their next appearance at Croydon Crown Court on 20 December.
The pair were first arrested as they prepared to board a flight at Heathrow on 18 November 2018 following the discovery of around £730,000 cash found in a suitcase. This prompted an NCA investigation into a network who are now suspected of flying an estimated £15.5million out of the UK to Dubai.
Round and Smith voluntarily attended Heathrow Police Station on Thursday 28 November 2019 where they were interviewed again by NCA officers. They were then bailed to return on 2 December when they were charged.
Ten people have already been charged in connection with the investigation and appeared before magistrates on Thursday 21 November, where they were remanded in custody to appear at Croydon Crown Court on 20 December.
The NCA investigation was supported by Dubai Police, Border Force and the Metropolitan Police Service.
Update 21 November 2019
Ten suspected members of an organised crime group believed to have flown an estimated £15.5million out of the UK to Dubai in suitcases have been charged.
The nine men and one woman, aged between 30 and 44, were arrested yesterday morning (Wednesday 20 November), as part of an NCA investigation into a conspiracy to launder millions of pounds of money made through drug trafficking and organised immigration crime.
This evening (Thursday 21 November) the following individuals were each charged with conspiracy to launder criminal cash and being a member of an organised crime group:
- Charan Singh, 41, of Victoria Gardens, Hounslow
- Valjeet Singh, 30, of Armytage Rd, Hounslow
- Jasbir Singh Dhal, 28, of Norwood Rd, Southall, Middlesex
- Sundar Vengadassalam, 44, of Hadfield Close, Southall, Middlesex
- Jasbeer Singh Malhotra, 33, of High Tree Court, Manor Rd
- Pinky Kapur, 35 of Dunedin Way, Hayes
- Manmon Singh Kapur, 44, of Dunedin Way, Hayes
The following men were charged with the same offences and an additional charge of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration:
- Swander Singh Dhal, 33, of Springwell Rd, Hounslow
- Jasbir Singh Kapoor, 31, of Gledwood Drive, Hayes, Middlesex
- Diljan Malhotra, 43, of Dawley Avenue, Uxbridge, Middlesex
They have been remanded in custody to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Friday 22 November).
The NCA investigation was supported by the Dubai Police, Border Force and the Metropolitan Police Service.
20 November 2019
The group – who National Crime Agency officers believe also tried to smuggle 17 migrants into the country this summer – were arrested in a series of raids around London this morning.
The suspects are alleged to have been part of a well-orchestrated conspiracy to launder millions of pounds of money made through Class A drugs and organised immigration crime, transferring it from the UK to Dubai over the last three years.
Examinations of travel history suggest this crime group have transported more than £14million in 2017 and 2018 alone.
A 41-year-old man alleged to be head of the network was arrested at his home in Hayes.
He and the other suspects were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and facilitating illegal immigration.
NCA officers recovered a quantity of cash, illegal drugs and luxury cars, including Range Rovers, Audi Q7s and BMW 5 series, during raids in Hounslow, Hayes, Uxbridge and Southall.
The raids follow an NCA investigation, supported by the Met Police, into cash seizures totalling more than £1.5 million made by Border Force officers over the course of 2019.
In all cases the cash was being transported between UK airports and ports and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Chris Hill, NCA senior investigating officer, said:
“Cash is the lifeblood of organised crime groups and they need the services of money launderers.
“We believe that the action we and our partners have taken will have caused permanent damage to a well-established money laundering network.
“We are determined to do all we can to target illicit financial flows and hit organised criminal networks where it hurts – in the pocket.”
Ben Russell, Deputy Director of the National Economic Crime Centre, said:
“The National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) was able to assist the case team in arranging forensic analysis of seized bank notes. We were also able to use our relationships with our international partners in the UAE to obtain evidence in relation to this case.
“The NECC has a unique role in coordinating the response to cash smuggling with other national and international law enforcement partners. Working together, our aim is to arrest and disrupt the criminals who carry out this type of activity. Our joined up approach within UK Law Enforcement and across the globe helps bring more people to justice.”
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