Policemen arrested in bootleg alcohol probe

Five police officers have been arrested over allegations that they sold contraband alcohol and cigarettes.

The Metropolitan Police officers, aged between 37 and 49, were held in a series of dawn raids at their homes earlier this week.

Scotland Yard's anti-corruption unit is investigating claims that they sold bootleg alcohol and cigarettes from abroad, including to other officers in police clubs and canteens.

The officers, all of whom are from north London, have been suspended from duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

Detectives also discovered a large quantity of cigarettes at one of the addresses raided.

Four members of the public were arrested as part of what police have described as a "long-running" investigation.

All nine were held on suspicion of money laundering and evasion of liability, which is an offence under the Theft Act.

The five male police officers were also arrested on suspicion of criminal misconduct in a public office.

They have been released on bail pending further inquiries after being questioned by Scotland Yard's Anti-Corruption Command.

The officers arrested on Tuesday have not been named but were identified as a 49-year-old inspector, a 47-year-old sergeant, a 37-year-old detective constable and two police constables aged 44 and 39.

Two members of the public, a 38-year-old woman and a 58-year-old man, both from north London, were also arrested on Tuesday.

A further two members of the public, a 43-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman, were arrested yesterday and remain in custody at north London police stations.