Proceeds of crime news12/01/2008 27 years imprisonment for Norfolk money laundering gang

Sentences totalling 27 years have been handed out to ringleaders of a money laundering and drug production gang in Norfolk.

Police discovery of a cannabis factory in 2006 led to a 16-month investigation, locating four more factories and evidence of money laundering activity. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) also discovered six examples of mortgage fraud while analysing dozens of bank accounts and holding more than 80 interviews.

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Pearce was quoted by the Eastern Daily Post as saying, This is the largest money laundering investigation ever undertaken by Norfolk constabulary. The investigation was conducted by Norfolk constabularys financial investigation unit working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service at every stage.

The individuals prosecuted were the organisers behind the cannabis factories and were those who benefited most from the criminal proceeds.

A Vietnamese man held to be the leader of the gang was found guilty of conspiracy to produce drugs and mortgage fraud. His partner pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce drugs and money laundering; their daughter, her partner, and two further suspects pleaded guilty to related charges.

Approximately £500,000 has so far been identified as assets belonging to the money laundering ring. The CPS intends to reclaim this money under a future Proceeds of Crime Act hearing.

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