7 bailed in money-laundering probe

Seven people arrested in London and the South East as part of a major inquiry into large-scale money laundering allegations have been bailed, police said.

The suspects, believed to have links to a high-profile organised crime gang, were detained in co-ordinated raids in London, Kent, Surrey and East Sussex at about 6.30am on Wednesday.

During the raids under the codename Operation Octopod, an order under the Proceeds of Crime Act was served on an accountant's office.

Approximately £100,000 in cash was seized at a property in Shoreditch and detectives also recovered financial documents, computers and mobile phones as part of the investigation.

Scotland Yard said the group, who include a trained accountant-turned-property developer and a solicitor, are believed to have laundered large sums of money through an investment scheme. Some also have known links to violence and other serious crime, spanning many years.

Five people have been bailed to return on a date in late August - a 48-year-old man from Finchley, arrested for money laundering and cheating the public revenue; a 47-year-old woman believed to be from Finchley, arrested for money laundering; a 63-year-old man from Hendon, arrested for money laundering; a 32-year-old man believed to be from Limehouse, arrested for money laundering and theft and a 70-year-old woman from Shoreditch, arrested for money laundering.

Two were bailed to return on a date in early June - a 31-year-old woman from Dartford, for money laundering, and a 52-year-old man from Dorking, also for money laundering.