Two females have been hauled before a judge for allegedly owning nearly €1.4 million of gold bullion that got confiscated in Dublin the previous weekend. Jelana Idele, a 58-year-old residing at Glenbourne Walk in Leopardstown and 38-year-old Svethana Bahtajeva of Earlsfort Court in Lucan, were presented in front of the judge at Blanchardstown District Court midweek.
During the search operations held across the Dublin area on 27th and 28th September, authorities also uncovered roughly €460,000 in currency and an assortment of controlled substances valued at around €210,000.
Idele is confronted with seven charges, featuring three instances of money laundering and four related to the Misuse of Drugs Act. She is alleged to have held 18kg of gold bullion, worth approximately €1,375,218, and to have had cocaine and ecstasy within her possession with the intention of distribution at a property in Dundrum on September 28th.
Philip Lavery of the Dublin Crime Response Unit confirmed to the court that Ms Idele rejected the claims relating to drug ownership, stating she was not the distributor and that they are “not mine”. Bahtajeva is facing four charges under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, as well as the ownership of 18kg of gold bullion, with an estimated value of €1,375,218.
She is further accused of possessing €460,000, suspected to be gained through illicit activities, on 27th-28th September. Garda Tara Higgins relayed that when she dolled out the charges, Bahtajeva offered no response.
Legal counsel for both women informed the court that their clients’ first language is Russian and they requested the aid of a translator in their coming court visit. Both women are set to remain in custody at the Dóchas Centre until their next appearance before Blanchardstown District Court, planned to be done via video link on Friday, October 4th.