A SLOUGH man was among 14 people arrested in dawn raids on suspicion of laundering the proceeds of a multi-million pound alcohol fraud.

A 56-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday in Slough after one property was raided as part of the nationwide operation led by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The fraud is estimated at around £40m in evaded duty and tax, with HMRC suspecting the group was diverting non-duty paid alcohol and selling it on the UK market.

The 14 arrested are believed to have been instrumental in laundering the cash generated from the alcohol fraud.

Alan Tully, assistant director of criminal investigation at HMRC, said: “This is a major investigation into what we suspect is a well organised and professional attempt to launder the proceeds from a significant alcohol fraud and steal £40 million from the UK economy.

“We are committed to stamping out alcohol fraud, which drains around £1bn from public finances each year, affecting public services and legitimate retailers who have to compete with the illicit market.” Cash totalling £650,000 and five lorry loads of beer and wine were seized as part of the raids in London, Essex, Kent, Cardiff, West Midlands, Manchester and Slough.

Computers and personal and business records were removed during property searches and the investigation is ongoing.