Mar.19, 2010, 09:35 GMT

A police officer from Lancashire has been charged with money-laundering and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Salim Razaq, 32, of Chester Road, Preston, is also accused of several firearms offences.

Mr Razaq, a sergeant based in Nelson, is due to appear before Wirral magistrates later, police said.

The officer was arrested on Tuesday after a series of police raids in Lancashire.

He is suspended from duty, a Lancashire police spokeswoman said.

Five other men and two women, aged between 17 and 57, were also arrested.

A 57-year-old man and a 25-year-old man were charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Four men, aged 22, 25, 26 and 31, were bailed pending further inquiries. A 17-year-old girl was released without charge.