Nine held in £10m raids

A seized Mercedes is confiscated by officers

HIGH-value cars, clothing, cash and electrical goods have been seized by police as part of raids across Greater Manchester targeting a £10 million money-laundering operation.

Officers from the North-West regional organised-crime unit (Titan) and Greater Manchester Police took part in raids in Oldham as well as at addresses in Cheetham Hill, Salford, Hale Barns, Altrincham, Openshaw, Bolton and Sale early yesterday.

Vehicles including Porsches, a Range Rover and a Mercedes, designer handbags, shoes, perfume, laptops and large amounts of cash were seized.

Seven men and two women aged 27-50 have been arrested on suspicion of international money laundering and remain in custody for questioning.

The raids are part of an eight-month investigation by Titan officers into money laundering by organised crime groups across Europe. Det-Supt Jason Hudson, Titan’s head of operations said: “This has a reach far wider than just Greater Manchester.”