Watford arrest follows major police operation
Cash, jewellery and designer handbags were seized from addresses in Watford during a cross-border traffic operation across the M25 corridor, police revealed today (Monday, July 13).
A total 19 people were arrested and £200,000 in cash was seized when almost 250 vehicles were stopped over three days between June 23 and June 25.
Hertfordshire police officers worked with colleagues from Surrey, Thames Valley, Metropolitan Police Service and British Transport Police.
Nineteen arrests were made for offences including burglary, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and other motoring offences.
In addition, 15 further people were dealt with by other disposal methods including Traffic Offence Reports and community resolution orders, resulting in 15 vehicles seized for offences such as no insurance.
One arrest was in Croxley Green after officers stopped a black Range Rover on Rickmansworth Road. The male driver was searched under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 before a holdall containing £174,000 in bank notes was discovered in the vehicle.
The cash was seized and a 37-year-old man from Watford was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. He has since been released while enquiries continue.
Further searches were carried out at two separate addresses in Watford in connection with the arrest, where officers seized an additional £5,000 in cash. Jewellery and designer handbags were also discovered at one of the properties and recorded as evidence.
Detective Inspector Stewart Moulding of Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “This operation is a prime example of how strong partnership working with our colleagues from other police forces can have a much greater impact on criminality overall.
“Our message is clear – Hertfordshire is a hostile place for criminals and if you are involved in illegal activity, we will catch up with you.”
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