OMEN
06-27-2006, 12:07 AM
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Some of the stolen cash was found soon after the raid
The extradition of a martial arts expert arrested in Morocco in connection with Britain's biggest cash robbery may take months.
Lee Murray was detained in the capital Rabat on suspicion of robbery, kidnap and other offences linked to the £53m Securitas raid in Tonbridge, Kent, four months ago.
Known as Lee "Lightning" Murray, the 26-year-old from Sidcup, south London, is a well-known cage fighter - a mixture of kick-boxing and wrestling.
He has appeared on television and nearly died last year when he was stabbed outside the Funky Buddha nightclub in London's Mayfair after a Page Three model's birthday party.
A Kent Police spokesman moved to reject media speculation that Murray could be extradited within 24 hours.
He said: "It is our understanding, following consultation with the Moroccan authorities, that the process is likely to take many months."
Murray was one of four men arrested by Moroccan police at the Mega Mall shopping centre.
The other three, who are understood to be from the UK, are not believed to be wanted by British police.
About 50 armed police officers surrounded the shopping centre and closed off the exits. officers slashed the tyres of the men's black Mercedes car with a knife to prevent them escaping.
They were then detained outside a shop.
Kent Police's head of serious and major crime, Det Supt Paul Gladstone, said: "The arrest was made with the authority of the Crown Prosecution Service, Kent Police and the Moroccan authorities.
"The man is in custody in Rabat and the United Kingdom is now seeking extradition."This latest development is part of our ongoing investigation and our inquiries continue. We remain determined to bring the people behind the robbery to justice."
Mr Gladstone, who is the senior investigating officer in the case, also revealed that two men, from Devon and Hampshire, had been charged with money-laundering.
He also said that a "significant" amount of cash had been recovered - although he could not yet confirm that this was linked to the robbery.
He said: "We are not able to confirm the amount at this stage or link the cash to the robbery or any similar crime. The money is now being counted and forensically examined."
Britain has no formal extradition treaty with Morocco, so would have to make a special, one-off request. An individual was last extradited from the north African country to Britain in 1995.
:: Five men and two women have already been charged in connection with the raid, in the early hours of February 22.
Car dealer John Fowler, 60, of Staplehurst, Kent, has been charged with conspiracy to rob, three counts of kidnapping the depot manager, his wife and son, and handling stolen goods.
Warehouse worker Raluca Millen, 25, of Dudley Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, has been charged with conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to kidnap.
Car salesman Stuart Royle, 47, from Maidstone, Kent, unemployed Jetmir Bucpapa, 25, from Tonbridge, roofer Lea Rusha, 33, from Southborough, near Tunbridge Wells, and Ermir Hysenaj, 26, from Crowborough, East Sussex, have been charged with conspiracy to rob.
Hairdresser Kim Shackleton, 38, from Maidstone, has been charged with handling stolen goods.
They are due to appear at the Old Bailey on July 10 for a plea and directions hearing.
Robbers netted £53,116,760, most of which is still missing.
Sky
Some of the stolen cash was found soon after the raid
The extradition of a martial arts expert arrested in Morocco in connection with Britain's biggest cash robbery may take months.
Lee Murray was detained in the capital Rabat on suspicion of robbery, kidnap and other offences linked to the £53m Securitas raid in Tonbridge, Kent, four months ago.
Known as Lee "Lightning" Murray, the 26-year-old from Sidcup, south London, is a well-known cage fighter - a mixture of kick-boxing and wrestling.
He has appeared on television and nearly died last year when he was stabbed outside the Funky Buddha nightclub in London's Mayfair after a Page Three model's birthday party.
A Kent Police spokesman moved to reject media speculation that Murray could be extradited within 24 hours.
He said: "It is our understanding, following consultation with the Moroccan authorities, that the process is likely to take many months."
Murray was one of four men arrested by Moroccan police at the Mega Mall shopping centre.
The other three, who are understood to be from the UK, are not believed to be wanted by British police.
About 50 armed police officers surrounded the shopping centre and closed off the exits. officers slashed the tyres of the men's black Mercedes car with a knife to prevent them escaping.
They were then detained outside a shop.
Kent Police's head of serious and major crime, Det Supt Paul Gladstone, said: "The arrest was made with the authority of the Crown Prosecution Service, Kent Police and the Moroccan authorities.
"The man is in custody in Rabat and the United Kingdom is now seeking extradition."This latest development is part of our ongoing investigation and our inquiries continue. We remain determined to bring the people behind the robbery to justice."
Mr Gladstone, who is the senior investigating officer in the case, also revealed that two men, from Devon and Hampshire, had been charged with money-laundering.
He also said that a "significant" amount of cash had been recovered - although he could not yet confirm that this was linked to the robbery.
He said: "We are not able to confirm the amount at this stage or link the cash to the robbery or any similar crime. The money is now being counted and forensically examined."
Britain has no formal extradition treaty with Morocco, so would have to make a special, one-off request. An individual was last extradited from the north African country to Britain in 1995.
:: Five men and two women have already been charged in connection with the raid, in the early hours of February 22.
Car dealer John Fowler, 60, of Staplehurst, Kent, has been charged with conspiracy to rob, three counts of kidnapping the depot manager, his wife and son, and handling stolen goods.
Warehouse worker Raluca Millen, 25, of Dudley Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, has been charged with conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to kidnap.
Car salesman Stuart Royle, 47, from Maidstone, Kent, unemployed Jetmir Bucpapa, 25, from Tonbridge, roofer Lea Rusha, 33, from Southborough, near Tunbridge Wells, and Ermir Hysenaj, 26, from Crowborough, East Sussex, have been charged with conspiracy to rob.
Hairdresser Kim Shackleton, 38, from Maidstone, has been charged with handling stolen goods.
They are due to appear at the Old Bailey on July 10 for a plea and directions hearing.
Robbers netted £53,116,760, most of which is still missing.
Sky