Man arrested in mini-mart money laundering inquiry

Thousands of pounds of cash were seized in raids

A man suspected of using mini-markets in Bradford as a front for criminal activity has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

The 25-year-old Iranian national was detained by a team from the National Crime Agency (NCA) on Nesfield Street in the Manningham area of the city on Thursday morning.

Two stores were searched by NCA and West Yorkshire Police officers, resulting in the seizure of several thousand pounds in cash, an imitation firearm and thousands of what were believed to be counterfeit cigarettes.

The man was questioned before being bailed pending further inquiries.

He is alleged to have used the hawala system, which allows people to send money abroad without cash physically crossing borders, to transfer gains abroad.

Instead, operators are said use an informal trust-based network to ensure the money reaches family members in countries where regular banking is limited, according to the UK government website.

NCA senior manager Phil Pestridge, said: "Money is the lifeblood of organised crime, which is why targeting those involved in laundering criminal proceeds is so vital.

"Our investigation will continue with evidence we have seized."

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