A SOLICITOR'S office in Earby and a private address in Barnoldswick were among several premises searched by National Crime Squad officers in a major investigation into alleged money laundering.

Three solicitors and a legal assistant were among 11 people arrested when National Crime Squad officers swooped on Wednesday morning. Police have not yet named the people involved.

According to The Law Society, the professional body for solicitors in England and Wales, the only solicitors office in Earby is Booth Moores, at 47-49 Victoria Road.

Its principal, Stephen Booth, was unavailable for comment yesterday (Thursday).

Ten of those arrested were later released on police bail without charge while inquiries continue. The remaining one, Keighley-based solicitor John Broughton, who used to live in Bradley, was still being questioned as the Craven Herald went to press.

The searches and arrests follow further inquiries resulting from Operation Norfolk, a large-scale drug trafficking investigation.

In January 2002, the head of a criminal organisation, known as "The Firm", 40-year-old Matthew Glover, of Cliviger, near Burnley. and 10 of his associates were convicted of conspiracy to supply class A controlled drugs. Glover was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with the total sentences for the group amounting to 101 years.

In January this year, Glover appeared at Manchester Crown Court where an order was made that he had benefited from drugs trafficking in the amount of £3 million. A confiscation order was also made for £370,000 that included his house.

National Crime Squad officers suspected others of assisting Glover to "launder" his drugs money and so have continued the investigation. Wednesday's arrests were part of that inquiry.

The solicitors' offices searched were in Earby, Blackburn, Clitheroe, Keighley and two in Burnley. Private addresses were also searched in Barnoldswick, Clitheroe, Padiham and Colne.

The arrests comprised eight men and three women, all British citizens ranging in age from their 20s to 50s. Those who have been released are due to answer their police bail on September 18.

In addition, a Burnley man was arrested by Spanish police in Malaga and an application has been made for his extradition.

Detective Inspector Steve Baldwin of the National Crime Squad said: "Operation Norfolk was a successful drug trafficking investigation that resulted in the conviction of a major dealer.

"However the investigation did not stop there and we have focused on identifying the methods Glover used to legitimise his drug profits."

The Law Society was made aware of the investigation and has worked alongside police.

Its chief executive, Janet Paraskeva, said: "The Law Society has drawn the attention of the profession to recent legislation, which puts an obligation on solicitors to report any suspicion of money laundering."