Five men from west London have been arrested in connection with a suspected £50 million money laundering racket.

Two men from Brentford and one each from Hounslow, Kingsbury and Wembley were among 11 men arrested yesterday during a series of dawn raids across London and the home counties.

Officers from HM Revenue and Customs searched 11 homes and eight businesses believed to be connected to a major fraud, which involved the laundering of around £50m in evaded duty and tax.

As well as making arrests at the addresses, they seized computers, £400,000 cash and personal and business records.

John Cooper, HMRC's assistant director of criminal investigation, said: "HMRC will not hesitate to investigate anyone suspected of stealing public funds and laundering the proceeds of criminal activity. If you have information about people who may be involved in money laundering, please call the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000."

The two men arrested in Brentford were aged 44 and 48, and those arrested in Hounslow, Kingsbury and Harrow were aged 44, 45 and 50 respectively.

All 11 men were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and were released on bail until June 2015. HMRC said the investigation was ongoing.

The arrests came just a month after a couple from Isleworth were jailed for running a £145m money laundering racket.