The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has arrested four individuals suspected of involvement in a major money smuggling operation that allegedly funneled criminal proceeds from the UK to Albania.

According to an official NCA statement released on April 24, 2025, the arrests are the latest development in an ongoing investigation into organized crime networks operating across borders.

Coordinated Raids Across England

The NCA reported that the suspects—three men and one woman, aged between 28 and 44—were detained following coordinated raids at multiple locations in Essex and London. Officers seized documents, electronic devices, and a quantity of cash during the searches, with the investigation focusing on the alleged movement of millions of pounds out of the UK. The NCA said, “We believe these individuals were part of a network responsible for the physical movement of large sums of criminal cash from the UK to Albania, bypassing the formal banking system.”

Links to Organised Crime Groups

The agency’s investigators allege that the group played a key logistical role in transferring proceeds derived from drug trafficking and other organized criminal activities. NCA Regional Head of Investigations Chris Farrimond emphasized the transnational nature of the network:

“Criminal gangs rely on professional money launderers to move and hide their profits. Disrupting these networks is vital in the fight against serious and organized crime.”

International Collaboration

The operation was carried out with support from the Albanian State Police, highlighting the close cooperation between UK and Albanian authorities to tackle cross-border crime. Albanian officers provided intelligence and support during the investigation, demonstrating the importance of international partnerships in targeting illicit financial flows.

Ongoing Investigation

The four suspects remain in custody and are being questioned by NCA officers. The agency confirmed that its inquiries are continuing, with further arrests and charges possible.

“This is a significant step in our ongoing campaign to dismantle criminal finance networks that operate between the UK and the Western Balkans,” the NCA added in its statement.

For more details, see the official release from the National Crime Agency.