WIREDGOV

The wife and sister of a prolific drug smuggler, who was responsible for importing 4.5 tonnes of cannabis resin into the UK, have been convicted of laundering more than £300,000 proceeds of crime.
 
Mandy Ashman (49) from Rainham in Essex and Mary Dunn (54) from Rochester in Kent were found guilty of money laundering at the Old Bailey in March 2016 and were last week sentenced respectively to two years, suspended for two years and nine months, suspended for two years.

Over a two-year period, National Crime Agency officers followed the activities of Joseph Ashman and his associates  as he attempted to distribute cannabis resin with a likely potential street value of £23m across the UK.  

Evidence showed Mandy Ashman was laundering the criminal profits of her husband’s drug dealing activities through the mortgages on two properties, whilst also claiming benefits.
 
Meanwhile Ashman’s sister, Mary Dunn, allowed her bank accounts to be used for transactions linked to bogus employment through a painting and decorating business and a scrap metal dealer.  
 
Joseph Ashman (47) pleaded guilty in 2014 to conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and money laundering, and was  jailed for  eight years and eight months. During the same trial  as  his wife and sister, he was also found guilty of money laundering charges adding a further four years  to his sentence .
 
Tony Luhman from the National Crime Agency said:
 
“Joseph Ashman’s criminality afforded his family a lavish lifestyle and he thought he could evade law enforcement attention by using bogus companies and family members to launder the proceeds of his crime.
 
“The National Crime Agency will continue to pursue and disrupt those who seek to benefit from the assets derived from serious and organised crime”.