Met seizes £4m in Catford linked to organised crime
Cash found in Lidl and Sainsbury’s bags during search of address in Lewisham borough
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Metropolitan Police officers found £4 million in cash hidden in Lidl and Sainsbury’s shopping bags during a search in Catford. The discovery followed the stop of a vehicle on 29 July 2026 as part of a proactive policing operation. A 54-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possessing criminal property.
The initial search of the vehicle uncovered a shopping bag containing approximately £35,000. Further searches at an address linked to the man led to the recovery of the remaining cash, along with a kilogram of cocaine. The Met confirmed the cash was stored in two bedrooms.
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
One of London’s largest cash seizures
Commander Paul Brogden of the Met’s Specialist Crime unit said the seizure was one of the largest the force had ever recorded. He told the *Evening Standard* that the operation demonstrated the impact of proactive policing in tackling serious and organised crime.
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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Brogden added that stop and search, including vehicle stops, played a vital role in identifying criminal activity. The Met has linked the supply of illegal drugs to serious violence in London. The force reported disrupting organised crime groups 21,231 times in 2025 and removing 3,570 guns and knives from the streets.
What happens next
The 54-year-old man remains in custody at the time of reporting. The Met has not confirmed whether further arrests are expected. The cash and cocaine will be held as evidence while investigations continue. It is unclear whether charges will be brought or if the case will proceed to court.
Questions this report answers
+How much cash did the police find in Catford?
Metropolitan Police seized £4 million in cash during searches in Catford on 29 July 2026. The money was found in Lidl and Sainsbury’s shopping bags at an address linked to a 54-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possessing criminal property.
+Who was arrested in connection with the £4 million seizure?
A 54-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing criminal property after police stopped a vehicle in Catford. The arrest followed the discovery of approximately £35,000 in the vehicle and £4 million at an address linked to him.
+What else did police find during the searches?
Alongside the £4 million in cash, police found a kilogram of cocaine during searches of an address in Catford. The Met described the seizure as one of the largest ever in London and linked it to efforts against organised crime.
+What happens next after the arrest?
The 54-year-old man remains in custody while investigations continue. The cash and cocaine will be held as evidence. The Met has not confirmed whether further arrests will be made or if the case will proceed to court.
News London Desk
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