Man arrested on suspicion of funding terrorism

A man has been arrested in Wales on suspicion of funding terrorism. The arrest is part of coordinated action by the UK and US targeting terrorism financing.

Officers from the National Terrorist Financing Investigation Unit (NTFIU), which is part of the Counter Terrorism Command, arrested a 50-year-old man on Tuesday morning.

The man is currently in custody at a London police station. Searches have been carried out at two addresses in east London.

The investigation is related to suspected terrorist financing and money laundering, which is believed to be connected to wealthy art collector and diamond dealer, Nazem Ahmad. Ahmad is suspected of being a funding source for Hizballah.

Sanctions were announced against Ahmad and some associates were announced by the UK and US governments.

Furthermore, officers from the Met’s National Extradition Unit – acting on an international arrest warrant – also arrested a man, following an extradition request from the US in west London. Sundar Nagarajan is wanted by US authorities for fraud and money laundering offences. Nagarajan appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court for commencement of extradition proceedings.

He was remanded to appear at the same court on Tuesday, 25 April.

Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Rees, of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Today’s arrests are the result of ongoing work and cooperation with our American colleagues, and are a key milestone in what is a complex investigation into terrorist financing.

“Terrorist groups rely on financial support and funding for their activities and the NTFIU works closely with agencies in the UK and around the world to identify and take action against those people who provide and facilitate this funding.

“With our international partners, we will never give up on our mission to disrupt terrorist activity, both in the UK and abroad, in order to keep the public safe.”

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay