Six soldiers from the Queen's guard and a Coldstream Guardsman veteran have been arrested over drug and money laundering offences
Soldiers from the Queen's Guard have been arrested over drugs and money laundering offences.This news comes days before Thursday 2, June's Trooping the Colour event, which will see the 1st Battalion Irish Guards lead the Platinum Jubilee parade.According to The Sun, the soldiers were arrested on suspicion of 'dealing in cocaine and organising a loan shark operation.'The Ministry of Defence said that those under investigation were six Irish Guards troops and a Coldstream Guardsman veteran.They were reportedly arrested in a 'planned operation' by the Royal Military Police.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: "None of the soldiers under investigation will participate in planned Queen's Platinum Jubilee parades.
"The Army does not tolerate any type of illegal or fraudulent behaviour. As this is now the subject of an independent Royal Military Police investigation, it is inappropriate to comment further."
A source at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hants (where the 1st Battalion Irish Guards are based), told The Sun: "They came in like the DEA (US Drug Enforcement Administration) — kicking down doors."There was no warning. We were told they had been planning the operation for months."It wasn't just the barracks. They searched the soldiers" homes off base. It's all come as a huge shock."
It's been said that three out of the seven arrested and investigations are still being continued.A defence source told the BBC that an 'intelligence-led operation', which began earlier this year and involved civilian police forces led to the arrests.Mons Barracks in Aldershot and a house in Windsor were raided at around 06:30 BST on Wednesday by military police.Properties in north Wales and Northern Ireland were also searched; this was where one suspect was arrested.The upcoming Platinum Jubilee will celebrate the Queen's 70 years of service.