21-year-old caught with white and green gift bag full of cash jailed after investigation

Cash seized by police at Preston Railway Station

A man has been jailed after British Transport Police officers seized more than £38k cash from his rucksack at Preston Railway Station.

Han Van Vu, 21, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of money laundering at Preston Crown Court on 31 October last year following a three day trial. He was jailed for 12 months when he returned for sentencing on Tuesday (11 February).

The court heard how, on 15 May last year, officers from British Transport Police County Lines team spotted Vu at Preston Railway Station appearing lost and confused.

The officers approached him and identified themselves as police. Using a Vietnamese interpreter via mobile phone to communicate, Vu explained that he was travelling to Glasgow to see a friend and that the rucksack he was carrying belonged to the friend.

Vu became increasingly nervous which prompted officers to carry out a search of the rucksack he was carrying.

Officers found a carrier bag containing a white and green paper gift bag, which had two bundles of cash inside. More cash was found underneath the gift bag. The total amount recovered totalled £38,045.
Vu was arrested on suspicion of possession of criminal property.

PC Andy Margerison said: “A common misconception is that money laundering is a victimless crime but the cash involved often originates from criminal activity such as drug dealing and exploitation.

“We will not waver in our mission to intercept, disrupt and dismantle illegal enterprises who use the railway to move criminal gains and drugs across the country.

“We urge anyone using the rail network to report any concerns to us through our discreet text number 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40

“We take these reports seriously and work tirelessly to bring offenders like Vu before the courts.”

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