Nineteen people were arrested and around £200,000 was seized in a cross-border operation.

Officers from four forces carried out the operation between June 23 and June 25 around the M25 corridor between J17 and J25 to make the arrests for offences including suspicion of drug supply, vehicle theft and other motor offences.

This included an arrest in Croxley Green on June 23, when officers stopped a black Range Rover on Rickmansworth road and found £174,000 in bank notes inside the car.

The cash was seized and a man, 37, from Watford was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Further searches in connection to the arrest were carried out at two separate addresses in Watford, where officers recovered £5,000 in cash and recorded jewellery and designer handbags as evidence.

The other 18 arrests were made by officers from the Metropolitan Police, Thames Valley Police, Surrey Police and British Transport Police.

Detective Inspector Stewart Moulding, who was Bronze Commander for the operation, said: “This operation is a prime example of how strong partnership working with our colleagues from other police forces can have a much greater impact on criminality overall.

“The team stopped hundreds of vehicles over a three-day period and spoke to both drivers and occupants, identifying the nature of their journeys. Many of the people stopped were law-abiding citizens going about their daily business and officers gave advice and reassurance where appropriate. Multiple intelligence reports were also submitted, building on our database of information about criminality in our county.

“I am really pleased with the results of this operation and I’d like to commend the professionalism of everyone involved. However, we shall not be resting on our laurels – we are constantly working to identify and apprehend anyone who chooses to commit crime in our county, and we shall continue to conduct proactive operations in the future.

“Our message is clear – Hertfordshire is a hostile place for criminals and if you are involved in illegal activity, we will catch up with you.”

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