Gold bars and jewellery were among a haul worth nearly £2m seized at Manchester Airport.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of money laundering after what is thought to be a record seizure of gold by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Officers were made aware of a suspicious vehicle at Manchester Airport on 30 October, at around 11.40pm.
Seven gold bars were then discovered inside the vehicle, worth an estimated £700,000.
The two suspects were identified and arrested on Monday night, following an initial investigation, after they arrived back in the UK on an inbound flight.
The pair, aged 49 and 45, remain in custody for questioning with enquiries ongoing.
A further £1m worth of gold and jewellery was discovered after luggage searches.
A search of an address in Bradford, West Yorkshire, revealed more gold bars worth around £60,000 along with a £30,000 watch and a sum of money.
‘We have begun a money laundering operation’
Detective Inspector Sarah Langley, from GMP’s economic crime unit, said: “Following initial inquiries, we have begun a money laundering investigation and have been working through all information available to us as part of this work.
“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.
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“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.
“If this is something that you may have knowledge of, please do get in touch with us, as your information could greatly assist with our work.”
