Fourth suspect charged over Met dawn raids targeting Hunt Syndicate as accountant had £500,000 cash at home

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 1 October 2026.

Company director Andreas Nicolas, 64, of Duxford, Cambridgeshire, is to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court today after being charged with possession of a firearm and a weapon to discharge electricity, making him the fourth person charged following Tuesday's massive operation against a suspected organised crime network. Nicolas was initially bailed after his arrest but was re-arrested on Wednesday after officers found weapons suspected of belonging to him during ongoing property searches. The raids targeted what police describe as the 'Hunt Syndicate', a criminal network linked to suspected gangster David Hunt, with more than 800 officers executing warrants across 24 addresses in London and four other counties.

Chartered accountant Charles Charalambous, 56, of Cockfosters, who is charged with stabbing the Met officer, had £500,000 in cash at his home when police arrived.

Charalambous told the court he believed burglars were breaking in — he indicated a not guilty plea and is due at Southwark Crown Court on 29 October.

Two further suspects, Carl Robinson, 49, and Bradley Byford, 37, were charged with weapons offences and bailed; the stabbed officer is expected to make a full recovery.