By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 4:26 PM on 9th October 2010

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1319117/Seized--police-confiscate-148-000-men-arrested-UK-ports.html

Kent police arrested two Serbian men at Dover's Eastern Docks this week after discovering £70,000 in their vehicle

Police have intercepted five men on suspicion of money laundering after raids at two key ports.

Kent police seized around £148,000 after stopping two vehicles at the Channel Tunnel and Dover's Eastern Docks over a period of four days.

Two Serbian men, both in their 40s, were arrested at Dover on October 3rd, just a day after two Kosovans and their passenger, from London, were stopped in a car at the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone.

All five men arrested in both incidents have been bailed pending further investigations, with the money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The arrests mark the third occasion of Kent police making arrests for suspected money laundering at a British port in the last fortnight.

Two Albanian men were arrested on September 30 after about £33,000 was allegedly found in a camera case and the men's wallets when their pick-up truck was stopped at the Channel Tunnel.

The apprehension of the Serbian men at Dover this week resulted in the discovery of €80,000 (£70,000), spread among several packages in the duo's car.

The police seizure of the large sum of cash came less than 24 hours after officers had stopped two Kosovan men as they attempted to leave the UK via the Folkestone departure gate for the Channel Tunnel

Detective Inspector Charlie Stokes said: "Kent is the gateway to both the UK and Europe. Whilst it's not uncommon to apprehend people carrying large sums of money, it is unusual to find such large amounts in such a short space of time.

"People carrying large sums of money need to be thoroughly investigated to determine whether crime has been committed and, if so, the appropriate action will be taken."