Gardaí bust money laundering scheme

A search has been carried out at a Cork residence in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation.

During the search, gardaí recovered cash, foreign currency, false identification documents, bank cards, and mobile phones.

The search came as a result of information received by gardaí attached to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) in relation to significant cash withdrawals from ATMs across Dublin and Cork between 11 August and 9 September this year.

The transactions involved the use of bank cards linked to accounts in Poland and Norway.

As part of a GNECB-led targeted operation, gardaí located and searched a vehicle in the Lucan area of Dublin on 13 September. During the search, a substantial quantity of cash and multiple bank cards were recovered. A male in his early 30s was arrested under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

During this search, gardaí seized €236,855 in cash, 660 Polish zloty, 9 passports, 5 driving licences, and 3 identity cards.

A female in her mid-30s was later arrested at a residence in Dublin under the same legislation and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. The female has since been released without charge while the male remains in custody.

A total of €322,855 in cash has been seized as part of the investigation.

Gardaí are liaising with international law enforcement agencies through Europol in relation to bank accounts in Poland and Norway.

Both individuals remain in garda custody as of going to print and the investigation is ongoing.