Three individuals from London were apprehended on charges of insider trading and money laundering following a coordinated operation involving numerous officers.
The raid, led by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the National Crime Agency (NCA), targeted three residential locations in London earlier this month.
During the operation, FCA investigators confiscated various digital devices, as announced by the financial watchdog on Wednesday.
The suspects, all in their 50s, were detained on allegations of insider dealing, conspiracy to engage in insider dealing, and money laundering associated with organized crime.
After being questioned under caution by the FCA, two of the individuals were released, while the third continues to be under investigation.
Additionally, a 48-year-old man is under scrutiny following his interview on Tuesday.
The FCA has identified members of organized crime groups as significant contributors to suspicious activities in stock markets.
These criminal organizations are known to be involved in activities like spread betting and contracts for difference schemes, often enlisting junior staff with access to confidential information and brokers capable of setting up trading accounts abroad with less stringent security measures.
The FCA has issued a warning to advisory firms to be vigilant of clients who consistently trade ahead of merger and acquisition announcements and media speculations, as this could indicate illegal gains from insider trading.
