GARDAI UNCOVER DRUGS CASH SCAM

A MAJOR money laundering scam involving some of Scotland's top drug barons
has been uncovered by Gardai in Donegal, it was confirmed today.

Up to £170,000 has already been seized by the Republic's Criminal Assets
Bureau as part of a 12-month investigation, co-ordinated with fraud squad
officers in Glasgow.

The money, contained in a bank account, was seized during a two-day
operation in Donegal town.

A married couple in their 40s, who own a business in the town, were also
arrested and questioned.

They have since been released and a file is now being prepared for the
Director of Public Prosecution.

Local Superintendent Michael Duffy said today they are satisfied the
account belonged to a criminal gang in Glasgow.

He added: "It is our belief that this money was deposited in the bank by a
member of a Glasgow gang who are known to be heavily involved in drug
trafficking and who are currently under investigation.

"We got involved in the investigation over a year ago after being tipped
off by Strathclyde police that the gang had been laundering money in the
county." The investigation is still continuing, he added.