Seven people have been arrested following a major police raid against money
laundering in Northern Ireland.
The suspects, six men, and one woman were detained after searches at
locations across Northern Ireland this week.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Detective Chief Inspector, Ian
Wilson said those targeted include individuals suspected of high-end money
laundering through bank accounts in the UK and internationally.
The men aged 33, 37, 39, 40, 50 and 67 and the 32-year-old woman were
arrested during the two-day operation.
‘During our extensive investigation, we identified that a significant
volume of suspected criminal cash was being laundered out of the country
through a number of shell companies and bank accounts held here in Northern
Ireland.
‘The investigation has identified over 50 companies and over 140 bank
accounts
‘In total, almost £215 million has been deposited to thousands of bank
accounts across the UK and also transferred out of the UK through foreign
exchange companies since 2011.
‘Money laundering is often a critical enabler of organised criminality. We
believe that the majority of this money is derived from a range of criminal
activity carried out by organised crime gangs, he said.