Two Officers Released Without Charge

Thu, 02 July 2009 Courtesy of:

The two police officers arrested on suspicion of misfeasance in public office, as part of the wider investigation around Operation Landslide - a major operation tackling organised crime in Northamptonshire - have been released without charge.

The Northamptonshire police officers in question is subject to an internal investigation and remains suspended.

Background to Operation Landslide:

Two further arrests have been made following a major operation to tackle organised crime in Northampton yesterday.

In total 14 people, 11 men and three women, have been arrested in connection with the organised crime element of the operation and 17 premises have now been searched across Northampton.

Thirteen of these 14 were arrested on suspicion of the supply of Class A drugs, the use of counterfeit currency, handling stolen goods and money laundering.

The fourteenth person arrested, a man, was arrested for incitement to corrupt police officers. All of those arrested are from Northampton.

One man was arrested at 9pm last night at East Midlands Airport after returning from holiday in Grand Canaria.

Yesterday's operation recovered more than £20,000 in cash as well as items associated with the supply of Class A drugs.

Two vehicles have also been seized as well as property believed to have been stolen, including high-end electrical goods and designer clothing.

Separately seized as part of this long-running operation, includes;

- Cocaine with an estimated street value of £110,000
- Heroin with an estimated street value of £30,000
- £6,000 of counterfeit currency
- £18,000 of stolen property

Five of the 14 people arrested have been released on delayed charge bail pending further enquiries. The others remain in custody and will continue to be interviewed today.

Once these interviews have concluded officers will meet with the Crown Prosecution Service to discuss if any charges can be brought against those arrested.

As part of the wider investigation, two police officers, both men, have also been arrested on suspicion of misfeasance in a public office. They remain in custody in another county.

Detective Chief Inspector Trisha Kirk who leads the Force's Organised Crime Unit, said: "A large number of officers from my team have been engaged in this confidential investigation for some considerable time.

"While we still have a way to go in this investigation I can reassure people that our aim is to disrupt the activities of people who cause harm to our community."