Travel agent arrested for money laundering
A travel agent has been arrested and charged with money laundering.
Travel agent Iryna Bandarieva, 69, and husband Ihor Shandar, 60 were detained at Dublin Airport accused of smuggling €340,000 out of Ireland allegedly for a criminal organisation.
Both were refused bail during a first hearing at Dublin District Court.
It followed an investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.
The couple are based in Ukraine.
They face various charges under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act.
These charges could lead to a 14-year prison sentence if convicted.
Solicitor Julianne Hayden says the couple deny the allegations and they will face separate hearings.
Bail was denied as the couple have no personal ties to Ireland.
Prosecutors however claim there are alleged ties to a transnational crime group involved in money laundering and drug trafficking.
Officers they found the money in their hand and checked baggage when flying out of Dublin. They arrived in Ireland only the previous day.
They initially told officers they came to Ireland for sightseeing and the cash was to be used to buy a property in Cyprus.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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