Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command have this morning arrested seven people on suspicion of terrorist financing offences.

They were arrested at four separate residential addresses in London, Cardiff and Coventry at approximately 06.00hrs on suspicion of being
concerned in the funding of a terrorist organisation, and laundering the proceeds of crime for that purpose. The suspects include a 45-year-old woman arrested in Croydon, a 49-year-old man arrested in Croydon, a 47-year-old man arrested in Brent, a 30-year-old man arrested in Brent, a 45-year-old man arrested in Coventry, a 40-year-old man arrested in Cardiff, and a 42 year-old man arrested in Coventry.

All seven have been taken to a central London police station where they remain in custody.

The arrests were a part of a pre-planned, intelligence-led operation, into suspected fundraising for terrorism overseas. The MPS operation, which also involves Homeland Security Investigations in America, is investigating a network suspected of illegally exporting the stimulant khat, which is legal in the UK, to the USA and Canada where it is a controlled substance.

Searches are ongoing at the four residential addresses in London, Cardiff and Coventry in connection with this inquiry, as well as a further eight search warrants issued for seven residential addresses in London, Worthing, and Coventry, and a business premises in Coventry. The searches are ongoing and there have been no arrests at these premises.