Wokingham drugs raid part of secret law enforcement operation

vast seizure of dangerous firearms and illicit drugs.

There has also been a series of successful operations targeting prominent criminals.

In the South East, SEROCUand the police forces of Hampshire Constabulary, Surrey Police, Sussex Police and Thames Valley Police have arrested more than 45 suspects and seized more than £3.1 million in criminal cash, and more than 86 kilos of Class A and B drugs.

Assistant Chief Constable Pete O’Doherty, South East regional lead for counter terrorism and organised crime, said: “Operation Venetic, led by the National Crime Agency, has been a success due to the partnershipworking involved across all of policing, both in the UK and abroad.

“The operations carried out across the South East region would not have been possible without our local police forces’ involvement and support.

“This has not only been the biggest operation to take place in the South East but the results are deeply significant as well.

“Not only with the goods seized but also the disruption this will cause to serious and organised crime groups operating in our communities.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the SEROCU investigators and all the forces and officers from across the South East for their tireless work.

“These criminals may have felt untouchable using a system they thought was under the radar of law enforcement, but this technology is now being used against them.

“A committed joint objective by law enforcement across the country will be to continue to keep one step ahead of these criminals.

“There is still work to be done and SEROCU and our partners are dedicated to pursuing those who are involved in serious and organised crime and will continue to disrupt this criminality and bring those found to be involved to justice.”

Detectives from SEROCU’s Dark Web team also conducted a series of drug warrants in London and Wokingham on Friday, June 19.

Across five addresses, eight kilos of cocaine, approximately £100,000 in cash was seized along with 53 digital devices, a number of which were encrypted.

Five men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply and concealing, disguising converting and transferring criminal property offences.

In the Thames Valley, £300,000 in cash and multiple kilos of class A and class B drugs including cocaine

insurers withholding payment to clients.

Mr Geller told Mrs Giamattei: “If accepted by the judge at the final hearing … every insurer has to pay the policyholder. Getting closer to a favourable resolution.”

Mrs Giamattei had previously been told that Business Interruption Cover would not cover a claim relating to the coronavirus.

The claim team at Hiscox said cover can be triggered under two sections of her policy: Non-damage Denial of Access and Public Authority. and cannabis have been seized in the last three months.

And 20 arrests were made for offences including drugs supply and money laundering.

Four people have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and money laundering so far.

Detective Superintendent Katy Barrow-Grint, head of specialist operations for Thames Valley Police, said: “We are committed to tackling serious and organised crime andwill disrupt it whereverwe can.

“Our ongoing commitment through our stronghold campaign means that we will work in partnership with the NCA and SEROCU as well as other police forces and partner agencies to target this type of criminality and also safeguard anyone we find who has been exploited.

“We know how much serious, organised crime and sale of drugs impacts on our communities and the harm it does to people across the Thames Valley.

“This joint work has been hugely successful in seizing money, drugs and firearms, disrupting drug dealing operations, but we will not stop there, we will continue to take action to stop those who seek to make a profit from crime and cause harm to our communities.”

“These sections only cover Business Interruption losses where those losses result solely and directly from an interruption to your business caused by a denial of access or an inability to use the insured premises due to restrictions by the Government or a public authority.

“Unfortunately, the loss forwhich you have claimed is not covered by your Hiscox policy.”

But Mrs Giamattei fought the decision, stating that her salons should be covered, having closed due to the Government

restrictions.

“We didn’t voluntarily close,” she said. “The Government officially closed us on Monday, March 23, to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“We’re covered for an occurrence of notifiable human disease — it’s there in black and white.”

The company, which has 60 employees, has been able to furlough staff to save on costs.

“My children, sister-inlaws, nephews and nieces now all work within the company,” added Mrs Giamattei.