Asghar Gheshalghian, a 48-year-old Iranian investigated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) for his involvement in laundering money made by people smuggling networks engaged in small boat crossings, has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Gheshalghian operated an unregistered money services business from an office block in WOOD GREEN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wood Green, functioning as a trusted middleman within a network of bankers using the hawala system.
His activities involved accepting payments from migrants or their families and releasing money to criminal gangs after the completion of their journeys to the UK, charging a commission in the process. The NCA arrested Gheshalghian in February 2021 based on evidence collected during a two-year investigation. He ran a rug company as a front for his money laundering operations.
More from Southwark Crown Court
View all Southwark Crown Court coverage
- Libyan Migrant Slashed Man in Brutal Knife Attack, Jailed for 24 Years
- Mother and New Boyfriend Guilty Over Toddler’s Tragic Death
- Toddler Killed by Bexley Mother and Ex Shown in First Photograph
- Ex-Labour Councillor Caught Sending Indecent Video to ’13-Year-Old’
- Convicted Murderer’s Shocking Plot to Free Drug Traffickers
- Asylum Seeker Faces Jail for London Hostel Rape
More from Southwark Crown Court
View all Southwark Crown Court coverage
- Libyan Migrant Slashed Man in Brutal Knife Attack, Jailed for 24 Years
- Mother and New Boyfriend Guilty Over Toddler’s Tragic Death
- Toddler Killed by Bexley Mother and Ex Shown in First Photograph
- Ex-Labour Councillor Caught Sending Indecent Video to ’13-Year-Old’
- Convicted Murderer’s Shocking Plot to Free Drug Traffickers
- Asylum Seeker Faces Jail for London Hostel Rape
