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Gravesend man arrested after Bexley garage raided over suspected illegal 'hides' in cars used to conceal drugs and cash

Four men have been arrested after a garage suspected to be involved in installing car compartments to hide drugs and cash was raided.

Police have recovered more than 30 vehicles believed to have been fitted with so-called "hides" but believe there are more.

One of the hides discovered. Picture: Met Police
One of the hides discovered. Picture: Met Police

Specialist crime detectives from the Met Police seized three cars and arrested four men in Bexley earlier this morning.

A 35-year-old man from Gravesend, a 48-year-old man from Bexleyheath, a 40-year-old man from Sidcup, and a 31-year-old man from Welling were all arrested on suspicion of participation in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.

They all remain in police custody while the investigation continues.

Police raided a garage and five addresses which was the latest stage of a long-term investigation into the operations of the garage and the activity of those suspected to be involved.

To date, the crackdown has seen more than 15kgs of class A drugs, 17kgs of class B drugs and £350k in cash seized.

Officers have investigated a garage in Bexley and arrested four men. Picture: Met Police
Officers have investigated a garage in Bexley and arrested four men. Picture: Met Police

Detective Inspector Lydia Stephens said police have been investigating the garage and the men, who are believed to have been installing these hides for some time.

She said: “The compartments can only be installed for one purpose: concealing illegal items in order to facilitate serious organised crime. So far it has led us to identify a number of organised crime groups in London and nationwide.

“This investigation is a prime example of the excellent work of our specialist detectives working tirelessly to apprehend criminals who believed they can operate beyond the arm of the law, facilitating the workings of organised crime groups and profiting from doing so. This activity cannot continue and the Met is working harder than ever to bear down on serious organised crime and keep communities safe.”

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