Leeds woman charged after nearly £2million cash seized in money laundering bust at Heathrow Airport

A Leeds woman has been charged with money laundering after almost £2million in cash was seized by Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport.
The money was seized by the Border Force at Heathrow AirportThe money was seized by the Border Force at Heathrow Airport
The money was seized by the Border Force at Heathrow Airport

Tara Hanlon, aged 30, of Pelham Court, Leeds, was stopped at the airport’s Terminal 2 at around 8pm on Saturday 3 October before attempting to board a flight to Dubai.

Officers searched five suitcases and found cash totalling £1.9 million in sterling notes – the largest such detection at the border so far in 2020.

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Hanlon was arrested, along with a 28-year-old woman from Doncaster, and the investigation was referred to the National Crime Agency (NCA).

The money - £1.9M in cash - seized at the airportThe money - £1.9M in cash - seized at the airport
The money - £1.9M in cash - seized at the airport

Chris Philp, Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts, said: "This is the largest individual cash seizure at the border so far in 2020 and I am delighted with the efforts of Border Force officers.

"Preventing the export of undeclared cash from the UK is a vital step in clamping down on organised criminal gangs.

"Miss Hanlon, of Pelham Court, Leeds, was later charged with money laundering and appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Monday, 5 October where she was remanded in custody until her next appearance at Isleworth Crown Court on 5 November.

"The other woman arrested has been released under investigation."