Four detained in money laundering probe across Germany

German police and customs investigators have detained four people in connection with a suspected money laundering network, prosecutors and the customs office in the south-western city of Stuttgart said on Thursday.

More than 30 locations across seven German states were searched as part of the operation on Wednesday, which they said involved 300 officers.

The main suspect, a 72-year-old woman, was detained in the Stuttgart area. Investigators allege that she led a nationwide money laundering network, which offered money laundering "as a service" for other criminals. The woman is alleged to have operated under several false identities.

Three further suspected members of the network were detained in the Stuttgart area, in Hamburg and in the Lippe district of North Rhine-Westphalia. All four detainees were remanded in custody after arrest warrants were issued against them. 

The suspects are alleged to have built a complex network of numerous accounts in Germany and abroad, as well as several shell companies. Through those accounts, they are thought to have channelled several hundred thousand euros derived from fraud.

Investigators also suspect the group offered other services, including logistics for drug imports and false invoices to facilitate undeclared work.

Various pieces of evidence were seized during the searches across the seven states, including around €75,000 ($84,000) in cash and two firearms with ammunition.