A BURNLEY car dealer has been charged and held in custody in connection with an investigation into drugs money laundering.

Christopher Dean Spokes, 36, of The Grange, Marsden Road, was arrested in Malaga, Spain, in June as part of a National Crime Squad probe, which followed the break-up of a drug gang known as The Firm.

He was extradited back to the UK and has now been charged with money laundering offences. He will appear at Preston Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Three solicitors and a legal assistant were among 12 suspects arrested in June by officers from the National Crime Squad.

Legal practices in Blackburn, Earby and Clitheroe were also targeted by police and homes in Barnoldswick, Clitheroe, Padiham and Colne were searched.

Computer equipment and documents were taken by police as part of Operation Norfolk.

The offices of SFN, the new name for Steele Ford and Newton, in Red Lion Street, Burnley, were also searched.

The 11 others arrested have all been released without charge on police bail pending further inquiries. They will answer their bail on December 10.

A spokesman for the National Crime Squad said: "A man arrested in Malaga has returned to the UK and has been charged with money laundering offences and will appear in court on Friday. Bail for the others arrested has been extended until December and investigations are ongoing."

National Crime Squad investigations into alleged money laundering began after the break-up of The Firm in January 2002.

Head of the gang, Mathew Glover, of Foxstones Lane, Cliviger, was sentenced to 25 years behind bars after amassing £3million from drug dealing.

The Firm was said to have accumulated huge profits over years of illegal activity and Glover's associates received jail terms totalling 101 years. In January this year, Glover had a confiscation order for £370,000 imposed by the courts, including the seizure of his house.