Britain’s National Crime Agency coordinated an operation Tuesday to target a suspected network of international money-laundering specialists, which helped crime figures hide millions of pounds. 

More than 250 officers in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Bulgaria and Spain carried out the raids, searching safety deposit boxes and properties across London. An estimated £500,000 (US$813,450) in cash and £100,000 (US$162,690) worth of diamonds was seized.

Many addresses were searched in the other countries, and so far 14 people have been arrested and are being interviewed, as they are suspected of money laundering for overseas-based criminals involved in drug trafficking.

Ed Thomson, operations manager at the NCA, said, “Tackling criminal finances is key to cutting serious and organized crime. Drug traffickers need to launder their profits but doing it can be their Achilles heel. If we can get between them and their money they are unable to fund their lifestyles or invest in further drug deals. The disruption to their activity is huge.

“We believe our multi-agency operation has dismantled the money laundering arm of a well established organized crime group we are targeting as part of an ongoing investigation.”

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