An organised crime gang with links to Stevenage has been dismantled, after two members were jailed.
On June 6, and July 15, 2024, Rickinder Hare, 36, and Neelen Balarajah, 34, were sentenced to a total of 14 years and six months for money laundering and conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Alongside Stevenage's Hitesh Vadolia, who passed away before the trial, the gang laundered millions in criminal cash, distributed class A and B drugs, and attempted to fraudulent acquire £1.5million of government grants.
On January 19, 2022, NCA officers witnessed Balarajah take possession of a 'Gucci' embossed box from Vadolia.
When challenged, Balarajah attempted to escape, driving his car at the arresting officers who had to use an unmarked vehicle to block him. The box was found to contain over £20,000 in cash.
Using detailed analysis of telecoms data, investigators identified that Hare, of William Street, Knightsbridge, had organised the exchange, and he was subsequently arrested on July 20, 2022.
Officers searched Balarajah’s home in Pinner, Middlesex, and found a substantial amount of cash, herbal cannabis, cocaine and numerous empty wrappings which also tested positive for traces of cocaine.
Evidence retrieved as a result of investigations into the activities of Hare and Balarajah led to the identification of other cash couriers and peripheral members of the gang, who have been separately investigated by police forces.
Surveillance on the gang then revealed the likely use of scrap metal dealers to help launder cash.
A courier was seen collecting bags suspected to contain cash, before immediately visiting a commercial premises for scrap metal and corporate waste. It is believed the cash was used to pay criminals for stolen metal.
Co-ordinated action was taken against the scrap metal dealer by the British Transport Police, HMRC and the Environment Agency.
The gang also attempted to secure access to government grants and funding to remove waste from a commercial site they controlled.
Investigations by the NCA demonstrated that they did not have the capacity to remove and legally dispose of the waste, and were looking to divert the funds elsewhere.
To date, cash totalling more than £1.2 million has been seized from the gang, as well as £350,000 in assets. This includes a diamond encrusted Rolex Daytona watch worth more than £200,000.
Vadolia, who acted as the cash courier, faced multiple money laundering charges in connection with the transfers of cash totalling £270,000, but died before he could go to trial.
Balarajah pleaded guilty on the first day of trial in February this year, after images on his phone revealed the empty wrappings found in his home had contained kilogram blocks of cocaine.
On February 12, 2024, Hare was found guilty of money laundering after a week-long trial at St Albans Crown Court.
On Thursday, June 6, Hare was sentenced to one year imprisonment, suspended for two years, and 400 hours of community service.
Yesterday (July 15), Balarajah was sentenced to 13 years and six months imprisonment.
Jason Hulme, senior manager for the NCA’s International Corruption Unit, said: "This crime group had tentacles reaching into many different activities, and were making millions from drugs and money laundering.
"The direct threat posed to the public, and the public purse, has been prevented, but our investigation has identified a number of individuals closely linked to the group, as well as connections to politically exposed individuals overseas.
"We will continue investigating to determine if any of these were associated with their criminal activity."
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