A man drove his car at police officers who challenged him after they saw him being given a 'Gucci’ embossed box containing £20,000 in cash.

But Neelen Balarajah's escape was blocked by an unmarked police vehicle - and the investigation that followed uncovered a crime network involved in drug dealing, fraud and money laundering.

Searching the 34-year-old's house in Grove Road, Pinner, that night -  January 19, 2022 - officers found cash, herbal cannabis, cocaine, and many empty wrappings that tested positive for traces of cocaine.

Analysis of telecoms data revealed that Rickinder Hare, of William Street, Knightsbridge, had organised the handover. He was subsequently arrested on July 20, 2022.

“They were making millions from drugs and money laundering,” the Crime Agency’s international corruption manager Jason Hulme said after the trial.

“This group had tentacles into many activities. We identified connections to politically-exposed individuals overseas.”

Surveillance revealed gang members were probably using scrap metal dealers to launder the cash. One courier was seen collecting cash and then visiting commercial premises for scrap metal and corporate waste. The cash was suspected to be used to pay metal thieves.

The gang also attempted to get grants to remove waste from a commercial site. But the investigators found they did not have the means to remove and legally dispose of waste and were most likely diverting the funds to other criminal ventures, the court heard.

More than £1.2m in cash has now been seized, as well as £350,000 in assets including a diamond-encrusted Rolex watch worth £200,000 alone.

Balarajah pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs on the first day of his trial in February, when images on his phone revealed empty wrappings in his house had contained kilogram blocks of cocaine. He was jailed on July 15 for 13 years. 

Hare, 36, was sentenced a week previously to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, and given 400 hours of community service after being found guilty of money laundering.

The cash courier, Hitesh Vadolia, of Stevenage, faced several money laundering charges — but died before the trial.

Evidence led to the identification of other cash couriers and gang members who have been investigated by police forces.