Following a significant police operation, seven individuals have been apprehended in relation to a major money laundering scheme in Northern Ireland.
In a series of searches across Northern Ireland, six men and one woman were taken into custody earlier this week.
According to Detective Chief Inspector Ian Wilson of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the arrests are linked to suspected high-end money laundering activities involving UK and international bank accounts.
Detailing the operation, Wilson stated, ‘Six men aged 33, 37, 39, 40, 50, and 67 and a 32-year-old woman were arrested during the two-day operation.’
‘Our extensive investigation revealed a significant flow of suspected criminal funds being laundered out of the country through numerous shell companies and bank accounts based in Northern Ireland.’
‘Over 50 companies and more than 140 bank accounts have been identified in connection with the investigation.’
‘A total of nearly £215 million has been deposited into thousands of bank accounts across the UK and transferred out of the UK through foreign exchange companies between 2011 and the present.’
Highlighting the impact of money laundering on organized crime, Wilson commented, ‘Money laundering is often a key facilitator of organized criminal activities. We believe that the majority of these funds stem from various criminal activities perpetrated by organized crime syndicates.’
‘Our commitment to ensuring public safety involves actively pursuing those involved in laundering illicit proceeds and enabling criminals to access profits derived from their participation in a range of unlawful activities.’