Dublin: Ice Cream Vans / Gaming Industry Money Laundering Links Probed By Gardai

Gardai have begun an investigation into suspected large scale international money laundering operations that may involve the use of ice cream vans and the gaming industry which are suspected of being used by well established transnational organised crime gangs. It is understood that gardai have recently received information regarding long established ice cream, gaming industry and property business that allegedly have links to international organised crime dating back to more than half a century.

Gardaí have swooped on five addresses in Dublin, as part of investigations into a suspected ice cream van money laundering racket.

The raids happened yesterday (Wed/09/10/2014) on Dublin's southside, but details are only emerging now.

It is understood the searches were part of an investigation into a well-known associate of a gangster shot in Spain last month.

Crime Reporter with the Irish Daily Mirror Cathal McMahon says some ice cream vans are being linked with criminal activity.

He said: "These are travelling outside Dublin selling ice creams.

"Now it's not to suggest they are selling drugs from the vans, but merely that they may be being used to launder cash, and this is what Gardaí are looking to investigate. It is one aspect of it."

*A west Belfast man linked by Italian police to an investigation into money laundering by the Calabrian mafia has denied any wrongdoing.

www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/

Italian police named Harry Fitzsimons as a suspect and said they had issued a warrant for His arrest.

However, Mr Fitzsimons's solicitor, Dan McGuinness, denied reports his client was arrested in Italy on Tuesday.

The solicitor said Mr Fitzsimons has not at any time been contacted by police in Italy or Northern Ireland.

"Mr Fitzsimons totally refutes the allegations being made against him which are unfounded," Mr McGuinness said.

"He has not at any time been contacted by the police in either Italy or Northern Ireland and has been carrying out a legitimate business as a promoter of properties in south Italy."

The investigation centres on the 'Ndrangheta, the Calabrian-based crime network, and its activities in tourism.
www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-21675450
The branch of the Italian police involved is the Guardia di Finanzia - the finance police.

They have seized assets worth almost £400m, including companies and holiday villages.

One of the properties involved in the investigation, the Jewel of the Sea development, has been at the centre of a legal dispute between Northern Ireland residents - who paid out between £40,000 and £180,000 - and an Italian property company.

Harry Fitzsimons, who is in his 60s, is listed as a director, or former director, of four property companies in Belfast and Dublin.

Claudio Petrozziello, district commander of the financial police in Italy, said Mr Fitzsimons had a previous conviction for a IRA bomb attack.

However, Mr Petrozziello told the BBC: "I have no evidence to imagine a link, a concrete link, or even an eventual link, with the organisation."

*Illegal drugs have been seized in a massive police investigation into benefit fraud and money laundering with links to Jamaica.

www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/

A three-day operation by Gloucestershire police saw nine women and three men arrested in 10 homes in Gloucester and the Forest of Dean.

Officers raided the properties on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and there are more arrests expected.

A total of about £700,000 leaving the UK has been identified by police investigating a suspected crime syndicate, which may have connections to the Caribbean and illegal drugs.

Officers seized financial documents, suspected A and B class drugs – crack cocaine and cannabis – telephones and IT equipment.

Operation Apollo officers worked with Gloucester City Council and the majority of those arrested were held on suspicion of money laundering, including benefiting financially from criminal activity and benefit fraud.

Detective Constable Jon Hume said: "We consider the operation so far a great success and, while our operation is continuing, we hope it reassures the public that we can and do tackle crime at all levels.

"We want people involved in criminal offences of all kinds in Gloucestershire to understand that it is only a matter of time before they are caught."

www.drugfreeworld.org  & www.drugscope.org.uk & www.drugs.ie  & www.spunout.ie

Eleven arrests were made in Gloucester – two men aged 44 and 45 and women aged 25, 28, 35, 38 and 41 on suspicion of money laundering; a 27-year-old woman on suspicion of money laundering and supplying a class A drug; two 33-year-old women on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and a 52-year-old man on suspicion of supplying drugs and money laundering.

A 41-year-old woman from Lydbrook was also arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

All 12 have been questioned and released on police bail.

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