Money laundering ring smashed

 

>From correspondents in MadridJune 04, 2005From: ReutersSPANISH police have arrested 13 suspected gang members who may have laundered up to 100 millioneuros ($163 million) from extortion, bribery and contract killings in Eastern Europe.The Ukrainian-run gang channelled its illegal gains into hotel and property investments fromBarcelona to the southern Mediterranean region of Almeria, before sending the profits into offshoreaccounts in tax havens, police said today.Among those detained in the operation, dubbed "Red Marble", were nine Spaniards, three Ukrainiansand a Russian.Authorities seized a 400 room hotel in Almeria, 50 luxury flats awaiting sale, and art by renownedartists such as Catalan surrealist painter and sculptor Joan Miro.Authorities also froze 60 bank accounts in Spain, the Dutch Antilles, Belize, the Bahamas and theVirgin Islands.Copyright 2005 News Limited.http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15504492-23109,00.html