Prison for drugs money launderers

The operation was making about £400,000 a year, the court heard

A gang has been jailed for a total of 26 years after Norfolk Police's largest ever money laundering investigation.

The six men and women were convicted of offences including conspiracy to produce a controlled drug, conspiracy to money launder and mortgage fraud.

Luan Van Phan, Phuong Thi Kim Nguyen, Bich Nga Le, Hoang Hoi Dao, Ngoc Anh Dao and Jean Yves Nicolas Ephigene were sentenced at Norwich Crown Court.

They had grown cannabis at houses in Norfolk and two other locations.

Police started their investigation in July 2006 after a tip-off from a member of the public.

The court heard the operation was making about £400,000 a year, most of which was ploughed back into property.

The cannabis was grown at houses in Norfolk and other locations

Det Ch Insp Colin Pearce said: "This is the largest money laundering investigation ever undertaken by Norfolk constabulary.

"The sheer scale of this investigation required dedication by case workers to bring it to a successful conclusion.

"Those officers and staff are to be commended for their efforts in this case."

Phan, 42, from West Lynn, Norfolk, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison, Nguyen, 33, also from West Lynn, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years, and Le, 42, from Camberwell, London, was sentenced to four years and eight months.

Dao, 53, of Camberwell, was given a seven-and-a-half year term. Dao, 26, from Edgware, was sentenced to two years and eight months, and Ephigene, 28, also from Edgware was jailed for four-and-a-half years.