One of Britain’s most notorious criminals was arrested at his £2million Clerkenwell townhouse as part of a top secret police operation this morning (February 26).
Sean “Tommy” Adams, 57, was escorted from his Mylne Street home along with a 56-year-old woman, as dawn raids were carried out across the capital.
Adams, a father of four, was jailed for seven years in 1998 for masterminding an £8m smuggling operation and is thought to have established connections between his Clerkenwell Crime Syndicate and Colombian drug “cartels”.
Assets
It is believed that Adams is the money man of the gang, which is headed by his older brothers Terry and Patrick.
The operation was the biggest coordinated and concerted operation to date against the syndicate, one of the UK’s longest running and most high profile organised crime gangs – linked to about 20 murders.
Scotland Yard will now look to hit the gang “where it hurts them most” by seizing their cash and assets.
Det Chf Sup Tom Manson of the Met’s Specialist, Organised and Economic Crime Command, which headed the investigation, said: “The links between this gang and serious and violent crime are well documented as is their strong influence across London, and, we believe, connections to criminals across Britain and Europe.
“For too long organised gangs have used advances in technology that have allowed them to hide their criminal gains and some even believe they can escape justice by bribing those who enforce the law.
“This operation and others like it are the Met’s response.
“Any criminal gang operating in London needs to know that we will tackle them head on and hit them where it hurts most, by seizing their cash and assets.”
More than 200 police took part in the swoop, making 14 arrests at 22 addresses across London – including properties in Upper Street, Graham Street, Ely Place and Gerrard Road.
The offensive, code named Octopod, began late Tuesday evening when officers seized the contents of a safe deposit box in central London, seizing £25,000 in cash and three watches worth more than £60,000.
The arrests were linked to conspiracy to assault, money laundering, fraud and revenue offences, while properties hit included solicitors and property development firms.
Islington Borough Commander, Det Chf Sup Gerry Campbell, said: “Organised crime and the individuals involved cause the most harm in our borough and this operation sends out the message that crime does not pay.
“We will do everything we lawfully can to stop those who seek to benefit from criminality by seizing their assets.
“We’re also exposing a wider network of individuals who are involved in serious and organised crime, sometimes through their professions.”
Fourteen (14) people from, and linked to, one of the UK’s longest established and high profile organised crime gangs are currently in the Met’s custody following a series of dawn raids across the capital.
In the biggest coordinated and concerted operation to date against this group, officers have painstakingly gathered evidence of conspiracy to assault, money laundering, fraud and revenue offences, which has led to today’s arrests.
Officers, including forensic teams, are carrying out thorough searches of the various premises.
A total of 14 people were arrested, some with known links to violence and other serious crime spanning many years.
Many items were seized from addresses. These included a handgun and six (6) shotguns (believed to be legally held) – all of which will be sent away for forensic examination. Officers also seized around £150,000 in cash as well as various high value watches, a significant quantity of financial correspondence, computers, digital media and telephones. In one property police uncovered a concealed safe with around £100,000 tucked inside.
Detectives have worked over many months to painstakingly follow money trails that link property ventures and crime. Some of those arrested today are believed to be behind the finance arm of the crime gang, involving working as accountants, mortgage brokers and property developers.
Those arrested are currently in custody at a central London police station.
Islington Gazette
