In a sweeping operation that looks more like something out of a crime drama than everyday policing, British authorities arrested nine members of a fringe religious sect Wednesday over allegations ranging from sexual abuse to forced marriage and modern slavery. Not exactly the kind of “peace and light” branding you’d expect to hold up under scrutiny.
More than 500 officers from Cheshire Constabulary and neighboring forces carried out coordinated dawn raids on three properties in Crewe, England. The locations included Webb House—reportedly the group’s headquarters—as well as additional sites on Nantwich Road and Badger Avenue. The investigation centers on alleged offenses involving one female victim connected to the group in 2023.
The individuals arrested—six men and three women—come from a wide range of nationalities, including American, Mexican, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, and Egyptian. Authorities confirmed all nine remain in custody as searches continue. An additional 13 people were detained on unrelated public order charges, because apparently things weren’t chaotic enough already.
Officials emphasized that the investigation is focused on alleged criminal behavior, not religion itself. Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley made that distinction clear, noting the probe stems from “serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery” linked to members of the group.
Police also identified 56 homeschooled children associated with the sect and have set up welfare measures to ensure their safety—arguably one of the most concerning aspects of the entire case.
The group at the center of the investigation, known as the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, was founded by Abdullah Hashem, an Egyptian-American figure who reportedly promotes a mix of Shia Islam elements with conspiracy theories involving the Illuminati and even extraterrestrials influencing world leaders. Yes, that escalated quickly.
Operating in around 40 countries, the sect has already drawn attention from law enforcement in multiple nations, including Algeria, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, and Azerbaijan. So this isn’t exactly their first brush with controversy.
At the end of the day, this operation sends a clear message: no group is above the law, no matter how it labels itself. And while the investigation is ongoing, the scale of this response shows authorities are taking these allegations seriously—because protecting victims and upholding justice should never be optional.