Three charged in Dublin after seizure of €1.4 million in gold bullion

Jelena Idele and Svethana Bahtajeva are the second and third people to be charged as part of an investigation into last week's massive seizure of gold bullion, cash, and drugs in Dublin.

An Garda Síochána announced on Saturday, September 28 that they had seized €1.4 million in gold bullion, €460,000 in cash, and €210,000 in suspected cocaine following a search operation in the Dublin region on September 27 and September 28.

"This seizure is another example of the fine work members of An Garda Síochána do on a daily basis to keep our communities safe," Chief Superintendent Garrett Billings of DMR Regional office said on Saturday.

"This operation, conducted by the Dublin Crime Response Team, is intended to target, disrupt, and bring to justice those who cause significant harm in society.”

Items seized by An Garda Síochána in the Dublin Metropolitan Region on September 27 and September 28. (An Garda Síochána)

A male in his 50s - since named as Farhats Bathijevs who has an address at Earlsfort Court in Lucan - was arrested and charged. He appeared at Blanchardstown District Court on Monday. 

According to RTÉ News, Bathijevs is facing ten charges - three relating to money laundering, three for theft and fraud relating to false documentation, two counts of possession of ecstasy and cocaine, and two counts of possession of ecstasy and cocaine for sale or supply.

Later on Monday, An Garda Síochána said that as part of ongoing investigations, Gardaí from the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) arrested two females, aged in their 30s and 50s, that morning.

An Garda Síochána announced today that the two women had been charged and would be appearing before Blanchardstown District Court.

Gardaí added on Wednesday that investigations are ongoing.

RTÉ News reported on Wednesday that Jelena Idele, 58, from Glenbourne Walk, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, is charged with seven offenses - three of money laundering and four under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

She is accused of being in possession of €400,000, believed to be the proceeds of crime, at a Dublin business premises on September 27.

On the same date, Idele is accused of being in possession of a gold bullion weighing 18kg and valued at €1,375,218.

Idele is also charged with possession of cocaine and ecstasy with intent to sell and supply, at a property in Dundrum on September 28.

Meanwhile, Svethana Bahtajeva, 38, from Earlsford Court, Lucan, Dublin, also appeared in court on Wednesday charged with four counts of money laundering.

Bahtajeva is accused of being in possession of €460,000, believed to be the proceeds of crime, on September 27 and September 28.

She is also charged with the possession of a gold bullion weighing 18kg and valued at €1,375,218 at a business premises in Dublin.

Both women were remanded in custody and are set to appear before Blanchardstown court again via videolink on Friday.