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ABC News
ABC News
National
Alex Brewster

Queensland police charge four people linked to Brisbane gym franchise with money laundering

Bundles of $50 notes seized by Queensland police in connection to alleged money laundering. (Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

Queensland police have charged four people as part of a lengthy money laundering investigation in which more than $1.5 million was allegedly transferred to an offshore location.

The charges come after police intercepted a plane at Redcliffe Airport in 2020 and seized cocaine, large quantities of cannabis and $9 million in cash and weapons.

The incident led to Operation Romeo Mugwort and further evidence of the alleged laundering.

Police identified people linked to a gym franchise operating in Brisbane allegedly transferring structured monetary deposits via a money remittance service to an overseas location.

Detectives questioned a man at a Brisbane gym allegedly connected to the transfer of money to offshore accounts.  (Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

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

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

All four have been released on bail and will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 24.

Detectives are expected to make further arrests and have urged anyone with information to contact police.

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