Drugs and cash haul seized after car stopped on M20

Drugs estimated to weigh around five kilograms and around £100,000 in cash have been seized after officers stopped a suspicious vehicle on the M20. An unmarked police car followed a Mercedes which was travelling at high speeds on the motorway, during the morning of Tuesday 8 October 2019. The vehicle was stopped close to junction 4, after it was intercepted by a marked police motorcycle and a search was carried out. Officers recovered two carrier bags containing a white powder, which tests would later show was amphetamine. Four large bottles containing a yet to be determined liquid were also seized. The driver and passenger, two men aged 39 and 33, were arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs and a search was then carried out at an address linked to them in Ashford. Here, officers discovered around £100,000 in cash. A 32-year-old woman from Ashford was arrested at the scene on suspicion of money laundering. An investigation is being led by Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate as part of an ongoing campaign to tackle organised criminal gangs, who seek to operate drug supply networks in Kent. All suspects remain in custody.