More than £500,000 from cocaine supply and money laundering in the area will go back into tackling crime and keeping residents safe.

Found in a flat in Barking searched by Met and Essex police officers in March 2013, the seized cash will now be used by Essex Police, after a decision to forfeit the money was reached at Chelmsford magistrates court last week.

A total of 11 men from Essex and London were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and money laundering offences and were sentenced to a total of 118 years in prison when they appeared before Basildon Crown Court in March 2014.

The £523,935 was found inside a flue box panel in the bathroom, and air duct and a suitcase inside the airing cupboard.

One man arrested at the Barking address was jailed for 17 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and money laundering, while a second at the same property was sentenced to 16 months for money laundering.

A total of 8kg of cocaine with a wholesale value of more than £360,000 and a street value of more than £1.2million was seized from the organised crime group during the operation.

DCI Stuart Smith said: “This was an outstanding conclusion to a professional investigation where police and the Crown Prosecution Service have worked effectively together to take drugs and criminal money off the streets.

“The forfeited money will further enhance Essex Police’s capability to tackle serious crime and keep the communities of Essex safe.”