Students being targeted to ‘wash’ drugs money

Drug dealers are targeting Galway’s third level students to use them to ‘wash’ money earned from criminal activity through their bank accounts.

It comes as recreational drug users have been warned that cannabis being sold in Galway was often laced with deadly substances such as rat poison.

Garda Superintendent Damien Flanagan warned that student ‘drug mules’ who launder money for drug dealers could ruin their lives if convicted.

Supt Flanagan said that the issue was on the Garda’s radar in Galway City, which has a student population of over 25,000.

Gardaí were dealing with other agencies to educate third level students of the dangers of getting caught up helping criminals launder money.

“It is a problem; students are being used to wash crime proceeds,” he said.

Supt Flanagan warned of the repercussions to students who allow their bank and other accounts to be used to launder the proceeds of drug dealing.

It was a serious crime and a criminal conviction will have implications for those caught.

Supt Flanagan said that education was key and he advised students “not to get involved” in laundering the proceeds of drug dealing through their finical accounts.

He was responding to a question from City Councillor Alan Cheevers (FF) who asked whether student drug mules’ bank accounts being used to launder money was an issue locally.
This is a shortened preview version of this story. To read the rest of the article, see the October 21 edition of the Connacht Tribune. You can buy a digital edition and support our jounralism HERE.