£4,000,000 in cash found stuffed in Lidl and Sainsbury’s bags after drugs bust

Some £4 million in cash and a kilo of cocaine have been found stuffed inside shopping bags in south London.

Police officers on duty in Catford on Wednesday evening stopped a suspicious vehicle.

As they searched the vehicle and the driver, a 54-year-old man, they found a shopping bag with £35,000 in cash inside.  

The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing criminal property.

But after searching his address, they found around £4 million in cash concealed in multiple bags in two bedrooms, along with 1kg of Class A drugs.  

Commander Paul Brogden, Specialist Crime, said:  ‘This is one of the largest cash seizures we’ve seen and shows the impact that proactive local policing can have in tackling serious and organised crime.

‘The arrest highlights the vital role stop and search, including stopping suspect vehicles, can play in helping officers to identify criminal activity.  

‘This result is testament to the persistence and dedication of the officers involved. We’ll continue to work relentlessly to disrupt and target those who seek to profit from illegal drugs and cause harm in our communities.’ 

In 2025, officers disrupted organised crime groups 21,231 times and removed 3,570 guns and knives from London’s streets.

The number of shootings in the capital is now less than half of what it was seven years ago.

This progress is being driven by targeting dangerous offenders more effectively, dismantling organised crime groups, preventing gang violence from escalating, and safeguarding children at risk of exploitation.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Baby bottle cleaner urgently withdrawn over fears it could contain insects

MORE: At least 655 pigeons shot and killed across London Tube stations in organised cullings

MORE: Sledgehammer gang jailed after £225,000 smash-and-grab jewellery raid