Seventeen people have been arrested in dawn raids at 24 properties across London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. The arrests were made as part of an investigation into a suspected organised crime group.
More than 800 officers were involved in the operations, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday. Searches are continuing at a number of properties, and a police presence is expected for several days, according to the Metropolitan Police.
During an operation in Cockfosters, Barnet, an officer was stabbed in the leg while carrying out a warrant. Police stated the officer's injuries are non-life changing. A 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) in connection with the stabbing.
The investigation is being conducted by the Met alongside His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA has reportedly "disrupted" seven businesses and is "actively pursuing" another 30.
Those arrested, comprising 15 men aged between 26 and 65 and two women aged 31 and 41, are being held on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group, money laundering, cheating the public revenue, false accounting, and conspiracy to commit GBH.