Major police raids around Kingston area.
Police raided homes in Worcester Park, Epsom, East Molesey, Ashtead, Ewell, Surbiton, Kingston, Wimbledon and Sutton were raided and seized £1m cash and kilos of drugs in connection with a multimillion pound cannabis operation.
13 men and one woman were arrested, suspected to be part of an organised criminal group involved in the importation, storage and distribution of large quantities of cannabis, using a fleet of delivery vans to distribute cannabis to London and the Home Counties.
Detective Inspector Steve Wilkinson of the Met Police Special Intelligence Section, said "We believe they have been operating for a number of years as a highly organised network, probably generating millions per year."
Three of the arrested men have now been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
Of the remaining 11 arrests, Mark Kinnimont (38) of Claremont Road was charged with conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, money laundering and conspiracy to import controlled drugs.
All were remanded in custody except for one who was granted bail with conditions. They will all appear before Southwark Crown Court on December 5.
Update: Nov 2009
Five men have admitted their parts in what police believe could be “Britain’s largest cannabis smuggling ring”.
The men, including two from Kingston and one from Surbiton, were due to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court accused of importing an estimated £45m of drugs from Holland in flower delivery lorries, but pleaded guilty last week.
Money and drugs were alleged to have changed hands in car parks in Tolworth, Esher, Epsom and Cobham, as part of a £1m-a-week network.
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