Two suspects later arrived at the airport with £1million worth of gold and jewellery inside their luggage
Police officers seized gold and jewellery worth £2million after a car was searched at Manchester Airport.
Seven gold bars were found inside the vehicle after it was reported as suspicious on Thursday, October 30.
The gold was thought to be worth around £700,000. Two men were intercepted when they landed in the UK on Monday, November 3, and £1million-worth of gold and jewellery was discovered inside their luggage.
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Greater Manchester Police then searched a home in Bradford where officers found more gold bars worth around £60,000 and a £30,000 watch.
A sum of money was also found at the address, a spokesperson for the force said.
Two men aged 45 and 49 were arrested on suspicion of money laundering.
Det Insp Sarah Langley, from GMP’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “Following initial enquiries, we have begun a money laundering investigation and have been working through all information available to us as part of this work.
“Any discovery of this size is of course something we want to explore all reasons for, and our specialist officers are currently determining the reasons for the gold and jewellery being brought into the country.
“Any offences regarding money or the illegal dealing and possession of goods is something we will simply never tolerate, and we will always act to ensure people are acting within the confines of the law.
“If this is something that you may have knowledge of, please do get in touch with us, as your information could greatly assist with our work.”
A spokesperson for GMP added: “Officers have secured two arrests and seized gold and jewellery worth up to £2 million in an investigation into money laundering.
“Last Thursday (30 October) officers were made aware of a suspicious vehicle at Manchester Airport at around 11.40pm.
“Officers attended and within the vehicle, seven gold bars were discovered – with an estimated total value of £700,000.
“Following an initial investigation and enquiries over the weekend, two suspects were identified and arrested last night (3 November 2025) when they arrived on an inbound flight.
“A subsequent search of their luggage revealed a further estimated £1 million worth of gold and jewellery.
“Further searches of the suspects addresses in Bradford, West Yorkshire, revealed further gold bars worth around £60k, in addition to a £30k watch and sum of money.
“The two men – aged 49 and 45 – were arrested on suspicion of money laundering. They remain in custody for questioning and further enquiries are ongoing.”