Harborough district man among 17 men arrested by a specialist police squad targeting a huge regional drugs and money-laundering racket

Tens of thousands of pounds in cash, a large quantity of suspected Class A and B drugs, two cars and dozens of mobile phones were seized during the raids
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A man from Great Glen was among 17 men arrested yesterday (Thursday) by a specialist police squad targeting a huge regional drugs and money-laundering racket.

The suspects were held after both detectives and uniformed officers swooped on addresses in Great Glen, Hinckley and Leicester city centre in the highly co-ordinated clampdown, said Leicestershire Police.

The crackdown came after a long investigation carried out by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) into the suspected Class A drugs conspiracy.

A man from Great Glen was among 17 men arrested yesterday (Thursday) by a specialist police squad targeting a huge regional drugs and money-laundering racket.A man from Great Glen was among 17 men arrested yesterday (Thursday) by a specialist police squad targeting a huge regional drugs and money-laundering racket.
A man from Great Glen was among 17 men arrested yesterday (Thursday) by a specialist police squad targeting a huge regional drugs and money-laundering racket.

A total of 14 warrants were executed as the elite special operations team were backed up by Leicestershire Police.

Tens of thousands of pounds in cash, a large quantity of suspected Class A and B drugs, two cars and dozens of mobile phones were seized during the raids.

Two men have also been arrested on suspicion of immigration offences, said police.

The men, who are aged between 19 and 49, are now being questioned by detectives.

Det Insp Mark Booth, who helps to lead the EMSOU unit, said: “A huge amount of work has gone into this investigation, both behind the scenes and on the streets, and I want to say a huge thank you to Leicestershire Police for their support today.

“Criminals often try very hard to avoid detection and cover their tracks.

“But the scale of our activity today proves that we’ll leave no stone unturned when pursuing those we suspect to be causing the most harm in our communities.”