Operation White Whale: Difference between revisions

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White Whale is the codename given by Interpol and EUROPOL for the international money laundering operation near Costa del Sol, Kingdom of Spain.

What began in September 2003, concluded with a massive crackdown in March 2005 near the coast of Marbella, Spain. Authorities estimate over €250 million has been recovered, and among the seized items are: 42 luxury cars, a yacht, 2 planes, paintings, and other luxury items. Spanish, French, Finnish, Russian and Ukrainian nationals were among the 41 apprehended.

In 2006 the investigation spread, to consider allegations of bribery in the Marbella council. Specifically, it appears that developers were being asked to pay for planning permission, and that permission was granted outside the remit of the local plan (e.g. residential development on non residentially zoned land). Mayor Marisol Yague, planning supremo Juan Antonio Roca, and others were arrested, including almost two thirds of councillors. Heads of construction companies and real estate agencies were also arrested.

The scale of the corruption alleged has necessitated handing over control of Marbella ayuntamiento (municipality) to a caretaker administration appointed by the Junta de Andalucia until local elections take place in 2007.

External links

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-'''White Whale''' is the codename given by [[International Criminal Police Organization - Interpol|Interpol]] and [[EUROPOL]] for the international [[money laundering]] operation near [[Costa del Sol]], [[Spain]].
+'''White Whale''' is the codename given by [[International Criminal Police Organization - Interpol|Interpol]] and [[EUROPOL]] for the international [[money laundering]] operation near [[Costa del Sol]], [[Kingdom of Spain]].
-What began in September of 2003, concluded with a massive crackdown in March of 2005 near the coast of Marbella, Spain. Authorities estimate over €250 million has been recovered, and among the seized items are: 42 luxury cars, a yacht, 2 planes, paintings, and other luxury items.  [[Spain|Spanish]], [[France|French]], [[Finland|Finnish]], [[Russia]]n and [[Ukrainians|Ukrainian]] nationals were among the 41 apprehended.
+What began in September 2003, concluded with a massive crackdown in March 2005 near the coast of Marbella, Spain. Authorities estimate over €250 million has been recovered, and among the seized items are: 42 luxury cars, a yacht, 2 planes, paintings, and other luxury items.  [[Spain|Spanish]], [[France|French]], [[Finland|Finnish]], [[Russia]]n and [[Ukrainians|Ukrainian]] nationals were among the 41 apprehended.
 {{wikinews|EU nabs US$300 million illegal trafficking in Spain}}
-In 2006 the investigation spread, to consider allegations of bribery in the Marbella council. Specifically, it appears that developers were being asked to pay for planning permission, and that permission was granted outside the remit of the local plan (eg residential development on non residentially zoned land). Mayor Marisol Yague, planning supremo Juan Antonio Roca, and others were arrested, including almost two thirds of councillors. Heads of construction companies and real estate agencies were also arrested.
+In 2006 the investigation spread, to consider allegations of bribery in the Marbella council. Specifically, it appears that developers were being asked to pay for planning permission, and that permission was granted outside the remit of the local plan (e.g. residential development on non residentially zoned land). Mayor Marisol Yague, planning supremo Juan Antonio Roca, and others were arrested, including almost two thirds of councillors. Heads of construction companies and real estate agencies were also arrested.
 The scale of the corruption alleged has necessitated handing over control of Marbella ayuntamiento (municipality) to a caretaker administration appointed by the Junta de Andalucia until local elections take place in 2007.
 == See also ==
-* [[money laundering]]
+* [[Money laundering]]
-* [[organized crime]]
+* [[Organized crime]]
-* [[tax evasion]]
+* [[Tax evasion]]
 == External links ==
 * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4344447.stm Spain 'cracks $300m money racket'] by [[BBC]]
-* [http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=7885055 YUKOS May Be Victim of Spanish Crime Ring-Source] by [[Reuters]]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050318211733/http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=7885055 YUKOS May Be Victim of Spanish Crime Ring-Source] by [[Reuters]]
 * [http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/03/13/spain.yukos.crime.reut/index.html Yukos 'victim' of Spain crime ring] by [[CNN]]
+[[Category:2003 crimes in Spain]]
+[[Category:2003 in Spain]]
 [[Category:Law enforcement in Spain]]
+[[Category:Law enforcement operations against organized crime in Spain|White Whale]]
+[[Category:Russian Mafia events]]
 {{crime-stub}}