Met Police seize £4m cash and cocaine in Catford raid
A 54-year-old man arrested after vehicle stop leads to one of the largest cash recoveries in recent years
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Metropolitan Police officers recovered an estimated £4 million in cash and 1 kilogram of cocaine during a search in Catford on 29 July 2026. The operation began when officers stopped a vehicle in the area at around 18:30 that evening.
During the initial stop, officers found approximately £35,000 in cash inside a shopping bag in the vehicle. The driver, a 54-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of possessing criminal property. He remains in custody while investigations continue.
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Further searches uncover larger haul
Police later searched an address linked to the arrested man. Inside, officers discovered the remaining £4 million concealed in multiple bags across two bedrooms. The cocaine, weighing 1 kilogram, was also found at the same address.
This is one of the largest cash seizures we’ve seen and shows the impact that proactive local policing can have in tackling serious and organised crime.
Commander Paul Brogden, Specialist Crime, Metropolitan Police
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Commander Paul Brogden, who leads Specialist Crime for the Met, said the seizure demonstrated the effectiveness of proactive policing. He emphasised the role of stop and search in identifying criminal activity, including vehicle stops.
Links to organised crime and violence
The Met has repeatedly stated that drug supply networks are closely tied to serious violence in London. In 2025, officers disrupted organised crime groups 21,231 times and removed 3,570 weapons from the capital’s streets. Shootings in London have fallen by more than half compared to seven years ago.
Brogden attributed the reduction in violence to targeted operations against dangerous offenders, dismantling organised crime networks, and safeguarding children at risk of exploitation. The Met has focused on preventing gang violence from escalating through early intervention.
What happens next
The 54-year-old man remains in police custody while officers continue their investigation. It is unclear whether further arrests will follow. Residents with information about organised crime in Catford or elsewhere in London can contact their local policing team or report anonymously via CrimeStoppers.
News London Desk
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