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Qld gym link in money laundering arrests

Cheryl GoodenoughAAP
Police have uncovered alleged evidence of money laundering by people linked to a gym in Brisbane. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
Camera IconPolice have uncovered alleged evidence of money laundering by people linked to a gym in Brisbane. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Four people linked to a Brisbane gym have been charged with laundering more than $1.5 million as part of a police operation that uncovered cannabis and cash on a plane.

Three men and a woman have been charged with money laundering and bailed to appear in court later this month.

Police say the arrests are part of an ongoing money laundering investigation following from the seizure of cocaine, cannabis, $9 million in cash and weapons in December 2020.

At that time detectives arrested three men alleged to be involved in an interstate drug syndicate after searching a light aircraft that had flown from Melbourne to Redcliffe, north of Brisbane.

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Residences and storage sheds across north Brisbane were also searched, with another 11 people charged.

Alleged evidence of money laundering was uncovered during further investigations as part of Operation Romeo Mugwort.

Police will allege people linked to a Brisbane gym franchise transferred more than $1.5 million via a remittance service to an offshore location.

A 33-year-old Morningside man has been charged with nine counts of money laundering knowingly, while a 51-year-old West End woman has been charged with 34 counts of the same charge.

A 37-year-old man from Lawnton and a 44-year-old West End man are each charged with one count of money laundering knowingly with circumstances of aggravation being part of a criminal organisation.

They are due to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 24.

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