Forest Gate man jailed for his part in £4.5million money laundering scam
Part of the haul discovered by police - Credit: Archant
A man involved in a multi-million pound money laundering scam has been jailed for six-and-half years.
Indian national Amin Surani, 34, of Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, will also be deported after serving his sentence.
Surani was arrested as he collected £50,000 cash from co-conspirator Surinder Rahela at a barber’s shop in The Green, Southall on May 9 2013.
Another £10,000 was found in his possession, while a search of his home address uncovered a further £100,000 cash plus a diary detailing his other dealings.
After a two week trial at the Old Bailey, Surani was found guilty of two counts of money laundering. On October 22 he was jailed for six-and-a-half years.
Rahela, 61, from Southall, was found guilty of one count of money laundering and jailed for 18 months.
Jacque Beer, National Crime Agency Branch Commander, said: “The ability to launder the proceeds of their crimes is a pre-requisite for those involved in sophisticated criminal activity.
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“Surani was a prolific money launderer and acted as a ‘collector’ for other criminal networks. Our investigation showed that in the four months prior to his arrest around £4.5 million had passed through his operation.
“It is likely that much of this money was linked to drug trafficking.”
The NCA is a new law enforcement agency tasked with leading the UK’s fight to cut serious and organised crime.