"Cash is the lifeblood of organised crime groups"
A money laundering gang led by an Indian man were arrested during early morning raids on November 20, 2019. They were suspected of smuggling over £15 million out of the UK and into Dubai.
The ten suspects concealed the cash in several suitcases.
The group are also suspected of attempting to smuggle seventeen migrants into the UK during the summer of 2019.
It is believed that the suspects are part of a “well-orchestrated conspiracy” to launder millions of pounds made through Class A drugs and organised immigration crime.
The operation, which has gone on for three years, would result in the money being transferred from the UK to Dubai.
Detectives have explained that travel history examinations suggest that the gang have smuggled over £14 million in 2017 and 2018 alone.
A 41-year-old Indian man is believed to be the head of the network. He was arrested at an address in Hayes, London.
Other people in the gang aged between 28 and 44, were arrested at addresses in Hayes, Hounslow, Uxbridge and Southall.
They have been accused of money laundering and facilitating illegal immigration.
National Crime Agency (NCA) officers recovered a quantity of cash, illegal drugs and several cars, including Range Rovers, Audi Q7s and BMW 5 series.
The raids follow an NCA investigation, which was supported by the Met Police. It was looking into cash seizures totalling more than £1.5 million made by Border Force officials over 2019.
In all cases, the money was being transferred between UK airports and ports and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
NCA senior investigating officer Chris Hill explained:
“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.”
Seven people were charged with conspiracy to launder criminal cash and being a member of an organised crime group, namely:
- Charan Singh, aged 41, from Hounslow
- Valjeet Singh, aged 30, from Hounslow
- Jasbir Singh Dhal, aged 28, from Southall
- Sundar Vengadassalam, aged 44, from Southall
- Jasbeer Singh Malhotra, aged 33, from Hanwell
- Pinky Kapur, aged 35 from Hayes
- Manmon Singh Kapur, aged 44, from Hayes
Another three men were charged with conspiracy to launder criminal cash, being a member of an organised crime group and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. Namely:
- Swander Singh Dhal, aged 33, from Hounslow
- Jasbir Singh Kapoor, aged 31, from Hayes
- Diljan Malhotra, aged 43, from Uxbridge
Deputy Director of the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) Ben Russell added:
“The National Economic Crime Centre was able to assist the case team in arranging forensic analysis of seized banknotes.”
“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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