Wales money laundering accused in court

28/3/2007

Four men and a woman from south Wales and a man from Staffordshire were due to appear before Cardiff magistrates today (28 March) following a multi-agency investigation into money laundering.

Led by the Wales Regional Asset Recovery Team, (RART) officers from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the police force areas of South Wales, Gwent and Staffordshire took part earlier this week in the arrest phase of Operation Ukraine.

The investigation has looked into what is alleged to be a sophisticated organised criminal group operating in Wales, England and overseas.

More than 80 officers took part in the multi-agency operation which saw the execution of search warrants in Bridgend, Cardiff, Hengoed, Swansea, Rhoose, Blackwood, Pontypool and Porthcawl. Searches also took place in Walsall, West Midlands and Marston, Staffordshire.

Five separate seizures of cash – thought to total £30,000 - were seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Jewellery and high value vehicles were also seized.

Alan Brown, senior officer for HMRC and deputy head of the Wales RART said:

"The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 was specifically designed to take the profit out of crime, making it harder for money to be laundered and depriving criminals of their illicit wealth. It is a vital element that aids this kind of criminal investigation which allows us to target so-called ‘untouchable’ and career criminals.

"This is just one of many multi organisation investigations that we are working on jointly."

As a result of the investigation, five men and three women from south Wales were arrested on Tuesday 20 March. In addition a man from Marston in Staffordshire was arrested on Wednesday 21 March, bringing the total to nine arrests. Six were subsequently charged with money laundering offences and will appear before Cardiff magistrates court next Wednesday, 28 March. Christopher John Maguire (51) of Marston, Staffordshire

The remaining three individuals – two women and one man, all from South Wales – were released on bail pending further investigations.

Search warrants were issued in the following locations:

Bridgend (1); Cardiff (2); Hengoed (1); Swansea (1); Rhoose (2); Blackwood (1); Pontypool (1); Porthcawl (1); Walsall (1) and Marston (1).

http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Community&F=1&id=10931