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Scotland Yard on the hunt for Indian-origin father-son duo who laundered £80 mn
The pair reportedly helped to siphon profits for organised crime gangs around Britain, with the prosecuting lawyer saying up to £80 million was funnelled through front companies in three years.
Scotland Yard has issued an appeal to help trace an Indian-origin father and his son who absconded during their trial for laundering £80 million for criminal gangs and were sentenced to 12 and nine years in jail respectively.
Wembley-based Bhadresh Shah (49) and his son Abhishek (25) were on trial for money laundering offences at Southwark Crown Court. They attended the first week of the trial but absconded while on bail on April 21. A warrant has been issued for their arrest.
The two were found guilty and sentenced in their absence — Bhadresh Shah to 12 years’ imprisonment for one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property and possession of Class B drugs (mephedrone and ketamine) with intent to supply, and Abhishek Shah to nine years’ imprisonment for one count conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
“They have links to Wembley and India”, Scotland Yard said in a statement.
The pair reportedly helped to siphon profits for organised crime gangs around the country through their hub at the Chandi Bazar in Ealing Road, the court was told. The police said they found 10 false company stamps used to create business documents linked to millions of pounds in dodgy transfers.
Prosecuting lawyer Adrian Keeling, said up to £80 million was funnelled through three front companies and money transfer companies in less than three years.
The two were on trial with three co-defendants — Bhadresh’s wife Falguni, 46, who was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to transfer criminal property, and Dipakumar Doshi (57) and Dinesh Thakoraka-Parmar (35), who were sentenced to five years’ imprisonment each for one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
