A man has been sentenced to 20 weeks in jail after officers uncovered £70,000 in cash cleverly concealed within foil-wrapped packages designed to look like “sandwiches.”

On Friday, September 8, Mariusz Raczynski was handed a 20-week prison sentence after pleading guilty to concealing criminal property during his initial hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Less than two months ago, the Rural Engagement Team (RET) officers were conducting routine checks in Harwich when they noticed a lorry traveling in the wrong direction, seemingly attempting to evade detection on July 27.

Upon closer examination, RET officers arrested the lorry’s driver, 28-year-old Marius Raczynski, on suspicion of money laundering. In the cab of the vehicle, officers discovered a bag containing silver foil packets resembling typical sandwich packaging.

Upon opening these foil packets, RET officers were astounded to find £70,000 in cash. They immediately collaborated with the Proactive Money Laundering Team (PMLT) of the Serious Crime Directorate to press charges.

Sergeant Paul Brady commented on the incident, saying, “Here in the Rural Engagement Team, we primarily focus on crimes that impact our rural communities, but we won’t turn a blind eye to other crimes. Policing is about being in the right place at the right time and taking effective action to bring perpetrators to justice and ensure everyone’s safety.”

Detective Constable Megan Tighe, who led the investigation, stated, “In this case, our Rural Engagement Team colleagues were very proactive and alert to what was happening, resulting in a prompt arrest. As the PMLT, we’ve worked diligently to build the case and demonstrate that the seized cash could only have been obtained through criminal activity. In just two months, this collaborative effort and our dedicated work throughout the investigation have resulted in a conviction.”