£7 MILLION MONEY LAUNDERERS JAILED

21 Feb 2006 05:45 PM

Three men from the north west region were jailed yesterday (Monday) for a total of eight years after admitting money laundering offences involving over £7.3 million.

Mehrban Hussain (35) from Rochdale pleaded guilty to laundering the cash along with two co-accused from Liverpool, Craig Porter (24) and Keith Kennedy (22). All three admitted laundering money under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002. Their activities came to light after approximately £240,000 in cash was discovered in a search by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers of Hussain's business premises and home in Rochdale.

Peter Hollier, HMRC Head of Investigations NW said "This case demonstrates the success of the Proceeds of Crime Act. Criminals have to explain where cash in their possession has legitimately come from or face the consequences, they can no longer benefit from perceived legislative loopholes. The Act was specifically designed to take the cash out of crime making it harder for money to be laundered in the UK. We work together with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that those living extravagant lifestyles funded by illegal activity are detected and brought before the courts to stop UK revenue losses, protect honest businesses and promote good citizenship. Once again, I would urge anyone who knows of people handling large sums of unexplained cash to call our 24-hour Confidential line on 0800 59 5000 and help us to tackle this crime."

Hussain was jailed for five years and eight months, while Porter and Kennedy were given 15 months custodial sentences each by Judge Rudland at Manchester Crown Court. Records found at Hussain's Rochdale premises indicated that he had laundered the £7.3m over a six-month period. The North West Regional Asset Recovery Team is conducting a financial investigation into all three men who now face confiscation hearings on 1 June 2006.

Across the north west, intelligence is used by all law enforcement agencies and the investigative sections of several government departments to identify financial fraud, detain unexplained cash being moved around the region, or illegal attempts to take cash abroad and bring to prosecution those that are found handling, transporting or living off the illegal cash. HM Revenue & Customs' POCA-related operations involve intelligence led investigations, routine checks at airports and docks, the use of specialised 'cash' dogs both at border controls and inland, and forensic accountancy techniques.

This case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). RCPO is an independent prosecuting authority which reports to the Attorney General, and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases in England & Wales.

Notes for editors

1. Mehrban Hussain (dob 05/07/70) Rochdale and trading from 233 Entwisle Road, Rochdale.

3. Craig Porter (dob 12/02/82) Liverpool.

4. Keith Kennedy (dob 13/11/83) Liverpool.

5. The Proceeds of Crime Act received Royal Assent on 24 July 2002. The provisions relating to seizure, detention and forfeiture of cash came into effect on 30 December 2002. The Act superseded the existing powers to seize drugs related cash at the borders and extended the provisions to allow cash suspected to be related to ANY crime to be seized both at the border and inland. Furthermore, an amalgamation of other legislation in force at the time removed the distinction between drugs and non-drugs money laundering offences.

6. The Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was created by Royal Assent on 7 April 2005. An independent prosecuting authority, RCPO reports directly to the Attorney General, and is responsible for prosecuting some of the largest drug and fraud cases in the UK. For further information please contact their press office on 020 7865 5666.

7. The North West Regional Asset Recovery Team is a multi agency team established in January 2004 to maximise performance in respect of criminal asset confiscation under POCA 2002 and thereby contribute to crime reduction within the region.

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office Team

Website www.hmrc.gov.uk
HMRC Confidential helpline Tel: 0800 59 5000