Gold bars and jewellery valued at more than £2m has been seized in an investigation into money laundering.
Greater Manchester Police uncovered the haul – thought to be the biggest seizure of gold in the force’s history – while investigated a suspect car late on Thursday at Manchester Airport. They discovered seven gold bars valued at about £700,000 in the vehicle.
Following an investigation over the weekend, two suspects were identified and arrested when they landed in the UK on Monday evening.
GMP said a subsequent search of their luggage revealed a further estimated £1m in gold and jewellery.
Further searches of the suspects’ addresses in Bradford, West Yorkshire, revealed more gold bars valued at about £60,000 in addition to a £30,000 watch and a sum of money.
The two men, who are 45 and 49, are being questioned on suspicion of money laundering.
Det Insp Sarah Langley, from GMP’s economic crime unit, said: “Any discovery of this size is, of course, something we want to explore all reasons for and our specialist officers are currently determining the reasons for the gold and jewellery being brought into the country.
“Any offences regarding money or the illegal dealing and possession of goods is something we will simply never tolerate and we will always act to ensure people are acting within the confines of the law.”
She appealed for anyone with information to contact police.