Update: Money laundering investigation

More details about the suspected multi-million pound money laundering offences which lead to the arrest of seven people from Rochdale yesterday (Wednesday 18 May) have been released by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) arrested a total of 15 people in early morning raids across the North West, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

Four men and three women aged between 32 and 71, were arrested in Rochdale.

Officers searched nine addresses in Rochdale, one business address and eight residential addresses.

HMRC’s Deputy Director for criminal investigation Alan Lee said: “Operation Enigma took 10 months to reach the point where we could make the arrests of 12 men and three women yesterday. During those months HMRC working with Greater Manchester Police and West Yorkshire and the Humber Police seized over £300,000 believed to be the proceeds of criminal activity.

“Yesterday we searched eighteen domestic addresses and five business addresses during the raids, removing evidential material to allow us to continue our investigations. The businesses included a number of money services businesses and an accountant.”