On Thursday 27th November, sixty-five members gathered together at the Old Links Golf Club. On arrival at the warm and welcoming venue we were able to chat with friends and find out where we were seated. Having all, some months ago, made our menu choices, it was a relief to find that Maggie, the event organiser, had brought with her the slips of paper we had completed. We could order drinks from the bar and settle down to enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
As usual, Jeanette and her team served our 3 course meal with friendly efficiency. This was followed by a hot drink and mince pies. Lots of chat and catching up took place. Maggie thanked the staff and gave them a suitable gratuity.

Frank followed this by informing everyone that this would be the last time Maggie would be organising our Christmas Meal, having carried out this task since December 2018. In recognition Maggie was presented with a ‘Goody Bag’ from the Committee. An extremely enjoyable time was had by all and a last thank you to Charlie who took time to take some lovely photographs.

If you would like to join our Association or attend any of our events, please complete Contact Form.
Many thanks to Carol Hitchmough for the article.

I wonder if any of our members attending Mike’s talk were expecting to hear detailed information of how to carry out money laundering in a practical way? Mike having worked in a bank, had encountered some of the world of money laundering. He began his talk with details of the Brinks-Mat robbery in 1983. He described the ferocity that the gang used on the guards in the Air Cargo building where large amounts of money and diamonds were held. The gang were very surprised to find gold also in the store. This was a temporary consignment of 6000 gold bars weighing nearly 3 tons, possibly worth over 26 million.

Before making their getaway the gang loaded the gold, cash and diamonds into their only means of transport, a Ford Transit van. The robbers just managed to drive away with the van very low down on its springs. This was only the start of their problems as the gold had to be converted into other forms of cash Jewellery or disposable goods. Any large amounts of cash needed to be fed into bank accounts either into British or Foreign Banks without raising suspicion.

They had access to a jeweller who could alter the gold, melt it down, add copper to change its value. The jeweller made gold rings and other forms of jewellery so it could be sold. The cash obtained was fed through businesses, these might have been a car wash, a barbers, a nail bar, a garage selling cars or even a corner shop. They still needed to be careful not to raise suspicion by depositing large amounts of cash that the banks may consider excessive. If the banks noticed high transactions they would inform the police who would investigate the books. Present day, in the illegal drugs trade the same conditions would still apply.

Brink-Mat warehouse Heathrow Airport — Brinks-Mat warehouse at Heathrow Airport

Only a small amount of the gold has ever been recovered. It has been noted in the trade that gold jewellery bought today may well contain some of the gold from the Brinks-Mat robbery.

If you are interested in any of our events or in joining the Association please fill in our Contact Form.

With thanks to Alan Dodd for the interesting article.

Festive Lunch

The Art of Money Laundering by Mike Hilton

Upcoming Events

Brian Topping – Tales of a Customs Officer

SoFA Annual General Meeting

Lyme Hall, Gardens and Deer Park

Tatton Park

Holiday to Harrogate

Navigation