Drug Trafficking/Money Laundering Operation: Drugs on money

Background

A long running international drug smuggling operation resulting in the seizure of more than 12 tons of controlled drugs with an estimated street value in excess of £61 million.

Analytical approach

In total approximately £650,000 was analysed for the presence of traces of illicit drugs by MSA in relation to the Operation.

This cash was seized from a number of the suspects involved.

Findings

Unusual drug contamination was detected on the majority of the banknotes submissions made to MSA.

Many of the banknote productions were found to be contaminated with diamorphine (heroin) to a much greater extent than is typical of banknotes in general circulation.

Result

In April 2006 a man was sentenced to 12 years for drug trafficking and money laundering. He was found guilty of being involved in the supply of drugs which had a street value of approximately £360,000 and laundering approximately £178,000 of drugs money.

In April 2007 a man pleaded guilty to a series of charges relating to laundering around £1 Million from drug trafficking and was sentenced to 12 years.

The Operation also resulted in a number of other convictions for drug dealing and money laundering.