£500,000 in cash seized during action targeting illegal working and exploitation

More than £500,000 in suspected criminal crash has been seized by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), during enforcement linked to alleged immigration and money laundering offences in Hertfordshire.

The money was discovered by ERSOU’s Organised Immigration Crime Team (OIC), as part of an investigation linked to the reported employment and exploitation of illegal workers at a commercial premises in Elstree Way, Borehamwood.

An operation took place on the evening of Tuesday 8 September 2026 and was supported by partners Hertfordshire Police, Home Office Immigration Enforcement and the Red Cross.

More than 50 officers and staff were involved. The activity included the execution of a search warrant at the Borehamwood site, where two men were arrested in connection with immigration, drugs and money laundering offences.

Simultaneous searches were carried out at three residential properties linked to the suspects in Hendon, London.

A substantial quantity of cash was found inside a safe at one address, while cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms were seized at another.

Significant development

Both suspects have been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.

ERSOU OIC Regional Co-ordinator, Inspector Dan Barker, said: "Organised immigration crime can have a significant impact on vulnerable people, legitimate businesses and local communities. “This operation brought together specialist officers and partner agencies to investigate reports of illegal working, labour exploitation and associated suspected financial crime. The seizure of such a large quantity of cash represents a significant development in the investigation."