Police anti-corruption investigators have arrested two of their fellow officers, including a detective attached to a Scotland Yard intelligence unit.
The arrests on Tuesday follow claims police say they received about a luxury car-hire company allegedly being used to launder money and make false insurance claims.
The Metropolitan police say that as well as the two officers, seven other people have been arrested as part of the operation. Among those detained was a 32-year-old detective constable from the Met intelligence unit, who was arrested at a home in London on suspicion of money laundering, fraud by false representation, perverting the course of justice and offences under the Computer Misuse Act.
The second officer detained was a police constable, aged 22. He was arrested in Essex on suspicion of fraud by false representation, police said.
The investigation is being conducted by anti-corruption officers from the Met’s directorate of professional standards and the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission has been informed.
DCI Sharon Brooks, who is leading the investigation, said: “Acting on intelligence, we have carried out an operation that has resulted in nine arrests, including two serving police officers.
“We are committed to dealing with all corruption in the Met, and that includes those who seek to corrupt our staff.”
The seven other arrested include six men aged 22 to 46 who were arrested at addresses in London and Essex. They were arrested on suspicion of offences including money laundering, perverting the course of justice and fraud by false representation.
A 38-year-old woman was arrested in Barnet, north London, for alleged money laundering.
Police said all were taken to central London police stations for questioning and that the status of the arrested police officers was being reviewed, a reference to whether the two officers will be suspended from duty or allowed to keep working while inquiries continue.
