NCA raids across south London dismantle passport operation

Early morning raids in Sydenham, Sutton, Rotherhithe, Battersea, Hackney and Hayes involving over 250 officers have "dismantled a criminal service that let drug and firearm traffickers, suspected murderers, and fugitives evade detection and operate internationally under false identities."

The gang is accused of making millions by using 'lookalikes' to supply passports to clients, including allegedly jailed drug dealer Jamie Acourt, an original suspect in the Stephen Lawrence murder, who later fled drug charges and went on the run in Spain.

Acourt was extradited and jailed in 2018 after police discovered he was living in Barcelona under an alias and had a genuine passport in that name, but with his own photograph.

Scenes from one of the NCA's raids in south London

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said a 66-year-old man from Sydenham was arrested at his home address during one of the raids, and is suspected of acting as the broker between criminals looking to buy passports and the organised crime groups who supplied them.

Nine people believed to be members of the crime group were also detained on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice and making false instruments in NCA raids in Sutton, Sydenham, Rotherhithe, Hackney, Battersea and Hayes (Kent). They are aged between 34 and 71.

A team of NCA officers, working closely with the HM Passport Office and the Dutch National Police, have been monitoring the group’s movements. They have provided intelligence on FOG passports being used by fugitives which has led to numerous arrests across Europe, and further afield in Dubai, Australia, Thailand and Brazil.

Ten people were arrested during the NCA raids

Other fugitives believed to have used the gang's fraudulent passport services are jailed gun runner Richard Burdett - who was arrested in Amsterdam - and alleged cocaine trafficker Michael Moogan, one of the UK's most wanted fugitives who are arrested in Dubia in April 2021.

It is thought the gang made millions of pounds by identifying lookalikes, often vulnerable individuals, and persuading them with cash to let them apply for passports in their name but with the photographs of the fugitives substituted.

Jacque Beer, NCA Regional Head of Investigations, said: “This is one of the most significant NCA investigations of recent times.

“We believe that this group’s activities has enabled some of the most serious organised criminality in the UK and around the world.

“Today’s operation has dismantled a criminal service that let drug and firearm traffickers, suspected murderers, and fugitives evade detection and operate internationally under false identities.

Scenes from one of the NCA's raids in south London

“It hasn’t just broken up a widespread and deep-rooted criminal conspiracy; it has led to the strengthening of safeguards against criminal exploitation of the UK passport issuing system.

“Our investigation, which continues with the evidence we have gathered today, showcases the NCA’s role in leading the law enforcement system against serious and organised crime; targeting the elite criminal specialists presenting the biggest threat to the UK.”

NCA officers allege the group specialised in fraudulently-obtained genuine passports (FOGs) – documents which are issued authentically but have been applied for using false information. The result is a seemingly legitimate document, and FOGs are therefore highly sought after by criminals worldwide.

They sourced individuals who were willing to sell their personal details for passport applications. It is believed payments up to £2,000 were made to those willing to provide their identity.

Another 14 people, suspected of receiving the FOGs or assisting the group through countersigning documents they knew to be fraudulent, were arrested today by the NCA in Kent, Essex and Merseyside. They were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to make a false instrument and are aged between 38 and 73.

Monday morning’s operation, which involved more than 250 officers, follows a lengthy investigation by the NCA into the criminal network codenamed Operation Strey. Today’s activity was also supported by the Metropolitan Police.

Security Minister Damian Hinds said: “This is a fantastic result and will do significant damage to the serious organised crime groups who want to inflict misery on our shores and around the world. The close working between the NCA and Her Majesty’s Passport Office has been at the heart of this hugely successful operation.

“The Government is working to make the UK border one of the most effective and secure in the world, which will also support our ambition of dismantling ruthless organised crime groups.”