Spanish cops bust lucrative Hawala drug money laundering ring
Cops in Madrid say they broke up a Chinese-Arab ring that laundered €21 million between June 2022 and September 2024, which was the proceeds of drug trafficking.
The investigation began after the disruption of a migrant-trafficking gang, prompting a probe into their finances.
The gang were mostly trafficking Syrian nationals between Algeria and Spain.
A Chinese branch of the gang supplied cash in Spain in exchange for cryptocurrency, while an Arab branch 'took charge of the reception of money in any part of the world.'
17 suspects, who were mostly Chinese and Syrian were arrested in Spain, Austria and Belgium in January.
Europol have said that a Belgium-based gang leader facilitated contacts within Spain.
The suspect, who is Jordanian-Palestinian, is suspected of coordinating money laundering from the proceeds of trafficking humans and drugs, Police Chief Inspector Encarna Ortega told a press conference in Madrid.
Investigators seized €205,000 in cash, €183,000 in cryptocurrency, shotguns, ammunition, and illegal cigars worth more than €600,000.
Real estate property, luxury goods, and 18 vehicles were also seized.
Previously, the Kinahans' alleged money man, Johnny Morrissey, was arrested as part of an investigation into a major money-laundering ring in Spain.
The Manchester native, nicknamed 'Johnny Cash', was arrested at his villa on the Costa Del Sol in September 2022, and authorities say he may have used the Hawala money transfer system to launder €200 million of drug money in 18 months.
Morrissey was taken into custody and spent almost two years behind bars in Alhaurin de la Torre prison, Malaga, before he was released on bail last June.
Under the Spanish legal system, suspects do not face formal charges until their trial begins, but they can be held in custody as a person of interest.
Described as a 'highly-dangerous and violent man',he is suspected of running the elaborate drugs-money laundering operation on behalf of the Kinahan Cartel, as well as for other gangs.
Police say he was at the centre of 'the most important money laundering operation in Spain' and that €350,000 a day was washed through his organisation.
The Kinahan organised crime group is alleged to have established ties with Hezbollah through the use of the Hawala system.
The Lebanese group, who are classified as a terrorist organisation by the United States, have used the system in Europe to finance their activities and deal drugs.
When the Kinahan cartel was sanctioned by US authorities in 2022, Johnny Morrissey was named as a key cartel enforcer who was laundering money through his alcohol company, Nero Vodka.
EUROPOL
News in 90 Seconds - May 15th
The company, which was run by his wife Nicola, allowed him to present the image of a legitimate entrepreneur.
The glamorous businesswoman was arrested alongside her husband in 2022 but was later released without charge.
Hawala is an informal money transfer system that allows for funds to be moved through intermediaries known as 'hawaladars', without the money itself ever moving across jurisdictions.
A hawaladar in one country can take receipt of the money from one payer before contacting a hawaladar in another country who will pay out the equivalent sum in cash or goods to the payee.
No documentation is kept or recorded and the system works on trust between the hawaladars.
The traditional method is popular in parts of Asia and Africa, particularly among migrant workers who send money to their families.
However, the informal nature of the system, which is untraceable, has made it a popular way to exchange money linked to terrorism, drugs and money laundering.
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