Stash of £175k found hidden in Wolverhampton shop cellar

Davinder Singh led police to his Mahal Enterprises clothing store on the junction of Dudley Road and Knox Street in Wolverhampton after they had executed a search warrant at his home address. The 56-year-old directed police to an unlit cellar where he produced a silver/grey ruck sack containing £151,475 in bundles of used bank notes, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

A further search of the cellar at the property using a sniffer dog revealed a carrier bag stuffed with 18 bundles of cash totalling £23,280.

Police also found £1,630 of counterfeit bank notes in an office draw.

The court was told that Singh was unable to provide receipts for any of the money that was found, and told police it was to be sent to India as part of his legitimate money transfer business.

He claimed that he had been involved in money transfers for 10 years, sending between £20,000 and £30,000 to India on a daily basis.

But CCTV footage seized by police revealed a man visiting the store earlier that same day on February 13 last year.

Prosecuting, Miss Sara Pratt said: "The pictures clearly shows a man walking into the store with the rucksack before disappearing from view.

"When he returns he no longer has the rucksack with him."

During interview Singh told police the man was returning £27,000 he owed him from a loan arrangement made five months earlier.

The court heard that Singh refused to reveal to police the identity of the man visiting his store.

Singh was then arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

Sentencing him to 12 months in prison, Recorder Mr Michael Burrows QC, said: "You were willing to assist people you suspected of crime to keep their criminal proceeds."

Singh, of Buckingham Road, Penn, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to two counts of concealing criminal property.

Cash seizure proceedings are taking place at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on May 12.