Drugs money trio jailed

Three people in Jersey have been sent to prison for a total of 20 years for their part in laundering more than £1.5m of drugs money.

Michael O'Brien, 56, of Saltash, Cornwall, was jailed for four years and his estranged wife, Yvonne Edmund O'Brien, 54, was imprisoned for seven years for banking the money in various business and personal accounts in Jersey.

Michael Joseph Dunne, 56, from Andorra, was jailed for nine years for his part in distributing the money into bank accounts and assets across Europe.

Announcing sentence, Judge Sir Richard Tucker QC, said this was an extensive money laundering operation.

He said Michael O'Brien, formerly of St Brelade in Jersey, was the originator of the crime and without him none of his co-accused would be in court.

All three are appealing against their convictions.

Two other defendants are yet to be sentenced.