Featured Northern Ireland

Two further suspects identified in £16m Belfast bank money laundering case, court told

Two further suspects have been identified in an alleged £16m money laundering operation centred at a bank in Belfast, a court was told on Tuesday. They are set to be questioned by detectives investigating claims that a cash deposit racket was being run by a Chinese crime gang. Twelve people… Read More

Northern Ireland godfathers face unexplained wealth orders

More than £1.3m of assets has been seized from major Northern Ireland criminals in the past year. The items, including houses linked to Carrickfergus UDA boss Clifford ‘Trigger’ Irons and dissident republican Roy McAuley, were sold off with the proceeds donated to good causes. Justice Minister Naomi Long revealed the… Read More

The Northern Irish ghost companies that mask crime worldwide

By David Leask, Peter Geoghegan and Richard Smith openDemocracy — Nikolai Sukhanov is used to flags of convenience. The flags of many nations flutter from the stern of ships on the docks and quays of Nakhodka in Russia’s far east. Owners often register their vessels thousands of miles from home, in countries… Read More

22nd January 2020

Northern Ireland: Seven arrested in £215-million money laundering investigation

Seven people have been arrested following a major police operation against money laundering in Northern Ireland. A senior detective has described it as “one of the most significant live investigations into money laundering in the UK” involving £215 million. Six men and one woman were detained after 15 searches at… Read More

6th January 2020

Ex-Pilatus director slammed ‘crazy’ Schembri-Tonna transaction

A €100,000 transaction between Keith Schembri and his auditor Brian Tonna was “crazy” and should never have been allowed to take place, a former Pilatus Bank non-executive director told the Egrant inquiry. The transaction, a suspected kickback on passport sales, has been the subject of a criminal inquiry since April… Read More

30th October 2019

UK truck deaths reignite calls to tackle nail bar slavery

The deaths of 39 migrants found in a refrigerated truck in Britain has reignited calls for efforts to tackle slavery in the nail bar sector, a common destination for trafficked Vietnamese. Most of the people discovered in the truck are believed to be from Vietnam, one of the top source… Read More

1st August 2019

‘McMafia’ law used on Northern Irish woman linked to paramilitaries

A Northern Irish woman accused of having links to paramilitary criminals has been ordered to explain how she bought six properties worth £3.2m. The National Crime Agency said the woman is believed to be associated with criminals involved in paramilitary activity as well as cigarette smuggling gangs and is at… Read More

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