Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro, Organised & Economic Crime Department – Four people, two from Cwmbran and two from Leicester, have appeared in Court charged in connection with various money laundering offences.

Jeffrey Bevan, 49, and Samantha Bevan, 51, from Cwmbran and Joel Ismail, 41, and Paul Charity, 51, both of Leicester appeared before Cardiff Crown Court on Friday (28th April) charged in connection with various money laundering offences.

The charges stem from a number of financial transactions conducted by Mr. Bevan whilst employed in the office of the Accountant General in Bermuda.

The theft was discovered after Bevan and his wife left Bermuda, with the funds having been transferred by electronic means through a local financial institution.

The Bermuda Police Service was notified, and a joint investigation with the UK Regional Organised Crime Unit in Wales, was commenced.

All four defendants entered not guilty pleas to the charges which come following the four year joint international police investigation.

The four defendants are accused of laundering the proceeds of $2.5 million allegedly stolen from the Government of Bermuda between May 2011 and June 2013.

Jeffrey Bevan faces an additional charge of theft of £50,000 to which he pleaded not guilty.

Paul Charity faces an additional charge of perverting the course of justice to which he also pleaded not guilty.

A trial date has been set for 8th January 2018 and all four were granted unconditional court bail.