A MAN and a woman from Brierley Hill have been charged as part of a major investigation into a cash couriering group who flew over £15m from the UK to Dubai.

Joe Round, aged 30, from Blewitt Street, Pensnett, and Louise Smith, aged 33, from School Street, Brierley Hill, were charged yesterday (Monday December 2) with conspiring to launder money.

They appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court and were released on conditional bail to await an appearance at Croydon Crown Court on Friday December 20.

The pair were first arrested as they prepared to board a flight at Heathrow on November 18, 2018, after the discovery of around £730,000 cash found in a suitcase.

The find prompted an investigation by the National Crime Agency into a network who are now suspected of flying an estimated £15.5m out of the UK to Dubai for an organised crime group.

Round and Smith voluntarily attended Heathrow Police Station last Thursday (November 28) where they were interviewed again by NCA officers before being bailed to return on Monday (December 2) when they were charged.

Ten people have already been charged in connection with the investigation and appeared before magistrates on November 21 when they were remanded in custody to appear at Croydon Crown Court on December 20.

The NCA investigation was supported by Dubai Police, Border Force and the Metropolitan Police Service.