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Three men have been charged following a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into a scheme to illicitly move millions of pounds out of the UK using lorries.
The three Uzbekistan nationals, all residents of London, appeared in Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on May 8th, facing money laundering charges.
The NCA initiated its investigation on June 21, 2024, after Border Force intercepted £950,000 hidden within 13 boxes of washing powder in a vehicle at the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone.
Two weeks later, on July 7, 2024, another vehicle was stopped at Harwich Port, where Border Force officers discovered and seized over £1 million in Scottish banknotes. The investigation culminated on May 7, 2025, when NCA officers raided two properties in west London, confiscating nearly £500,000 in cash, along with cash counting machines and vacuum-seal packs.
Paul Orchard, NCA senior investigating officer, said:
“Our investigation into the attempted exportation of millions of pounds in cash continues at pace.
“Cash is the lifeblood of serious and organised crime, and money laundering is an essential service that enables organised criminals to profit and invest in further criminality.”