Published: Thursday, 11th March, 2010 6:00am

Alleged money laundering scheme's link to town

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POLICE investigating an alleged money laundering scheme have arrested a man following a search of a house in Musselburgh.

A total of £2.3million has been identified for potential seizure under the Proceeds of Crime Act, with £3,000 cash also recovered during the raid.

Police say a 42 year-old man has been arrested and charged after they carried out raids on one house in Greenfield Park, Musselburgh, and three addresses in Edinburgh.

Officers also seized a number of items relating to possible offences under the Gaming Act 2005.

Detective Chief Inspector Robert Cowper of Lothian and Borders Police said: "This successful operation was about securing evidence and intelligence in relation to money laundering and fraudulent activities.

"In addition to searching private homes, we also searched a business premises suspected of having links to criminal activity.

"Serious organised crime groups often use other businesses to legitimise their incomes, and Lothian and Borders Police is intent on deterring them by seizing the profits they have gained.

"Trying to recover the ill-gotten gains of those involved in serious organised crime is one of the strands of our strategy to tackle these groups.

"Money, and the power that comes with it, is what drives them. However, they have to make it appear that their money comes from legitimate sources.

"That is where money laundering comes into play, and where we have intelligence we will act to try to recover these assets."

Two women, aged 42 and 41, are also subject to a report that will be sent to the procurator fiscal.