Lancashire police officer arrested on suspicion of money laundering (From This Is Lancashire)

Lancashire police officer arrested on suspicion of money laundering

9:00pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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A POLICEMAN has been arrested as part of a probe into money laundering by the organised crime unit.

It is understood the officer works in the Pennine Division covering Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

Police arrested eight people and seized a stash of money, firearms and ammunition after a series of swoops across the county.

Police raided the officer’s home in Walton-le-Dale, early on Tuesday morning.

Tonight he was being quizzed by Lancashire Constabulary’s serious and organised crime unit.

He was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and misconduct in a public office.

Police also questioned two men, both aged 25, who are being held at Preston and Haverigg Prisons, on the conspiracy charge.

The inquiry is being led by Assistant Chief Constable Andy Cooke.

Further raids were also conducted in the Deepdale, Ingol and Fulwood areas of Preston, leading to more arrests.

Tonight Gulshan Razaq, 57, of Chester Road, Preston, was charged with perverting the course of justice.

Hafiz Razaq, 25, of HMP Haverigg, was charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Both have been remanded to appear before Wirral magistrates tomorrow.

An extension was tonight granted by Ormskirk magistrates to allow officers an extra 36 hours to question the 32-year-old man arrested in connection with the investigation.

Four men aged 22, 25, 26 and 31 have been given police bail pending further inquiries.

A 37-year-old woman tonight remained in police custody.

A 17-year-old girl was released without charge.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “During the searches officers seized a number of firearms, ammunition, documents and a substantial amount of cash.”