A GANG that smuggled arms including tanks to war-torn countries in the Middle East and Africa has been busted in Spain. The criminal network made up of Latvian, Spanish and Ukrainian members, illegally shipped Russian weapons and explosives in merchant ships from Ukraine mainly to conflict zones in North Africa and the Middle East. Bosses had set up a well-organised money-laundering scheme which enabled them to invest their criminal proceeds in legal businesses. From there, the criminals transferred the money to Spain where it was used under the camouflage of legal commercial activity. This scheme allowed them to invest the criminal profits in properties and finance their luxury lifestyles.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 14, 2020 12:33 UTC