Six people have appeared in court accused of being part of a major money-laundering racket. Five men and a woman were charged after a joint investigation code named Operation Ukraine involving three police forces and customs officials.
John Roger Thomas, 52, of Cyncoed, Cardiff, Anthony Michael Paul Courtney, 53 and Jill Brenda Ashman 51, of Gelligaer, Hengoed were among the six who appeared at Cardiff Magistrates Court yesterday.
The others were David Terrance James, 57, of Birchgrove, Swansea, Richard Anthony Davies, 33 of Pontnewydd, Pontypool, and Christopher John Maguire, 51, of Marston, Staffordshire.
All were released on bail to re-appear in court on April 10th 2007. South Wales, Gwent and Staffordshire police were joined by HM Revenue & Customs officials in the operation. It was described as an investigation into an alleged "sophisticated organised criminal group" operating in Wales, England and overseas.
More than 80 officers took part in the operation – with search warrants executed in Bridgend, Hengoed, Swansea, Rhoose, Blackwood, Pontypool, and Porthcawl. Searches also took place in England.
Five separate hoards of cash – thought to be worth a total of £30,000, were seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Jewellery and luxury vehicles were also seized.
Alan Brown senior officer for HM Revenue & Customs said "The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 was specifically designed to take the profit out of crime, making it harder for money to be laundered and depriving criminals of their illicit wealth. "It is a vital element that aids this kind of criminal investigation. This is just one of many multi-organisation investigations that Wales RART are working on jointly." Three others, two women and one man, all from South Wales – were released on police bail pending further investigations.