In Limassol, two foreigners suspected of laundering a large sum of money have been detained
The police of the Republic of Cyprus have detained two foreign citizens in Limassol. The men are suspected of laundering a large sum of money. Presumably, both detainees are citizens of the Russian Federation.
According to the police press service, as part of the investigation, officers of the Limassol police department were conducting surveillance on a property - a gallery, after receiving a signal that money laundering allegedly took place at the specified address.
Around noon, a suspicious car was noticed near the house under surveillance. A man emerged from the building and got into the passenger seat of the car. Subsequently, the vehicle was stopped for inspection. Two foreign citizens were found in the car: a 33-year-old driver and a 34-year-old passenger.
During the inspection, 17 envelopes containing a total of €161,425 were found in the passenger's bag.
The 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of unlawful possession of property and taken to the Limassol police station.
Additionally, another person, 41 years old, was found inside the gallery, who identified himself as a shareholder of the specified property. He, along with the 33-year-old driver of the car, was summoned to the police to give statements.
During the search of the gallery premises, €706,300, $22,539, £1,375, two note-counting machines, as well as empty paper envelopes, presumably used for packaging money, were found.
Further investigation led to the discovery of €815, mobile phones, and empty paper envelopes, presumably used for money packaging, in the house of the 34-year-old man. Both the 34-year-old and 41-year-old men have been arrested and taken into custody.