Two people jailed following investigation into multi-million-pound money laundering scheme

Liu, along with Jiarun Li, were initially arrested in September 2025 on suspicion of money laundering after £49,000 in cash was recovered from their vehicle.

They were arrested again in February this year after Liu tried to make off from officers, but after being detained, searches recovered a further £29,950 in cash.

Further searches were carried out at his home address, where another £20,000 in cash was recovered. Li was also arrested from the address on Bromsgrove Street, Birmingham.

While on bail, while enquiries were continuing, ROCU were notified that both Liu and Li attempted to board a flight from London Heathrow Airport destined for Beijing, China, leading to them being arrested and subsequently charged and remanded.

Searches through phone work and handwritten ledgers showed that Liu had laundered over £17 million in cash.

Liu pleaded guilty to possessing and transferring criminal property, and Li pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of criminal property.

Liu, aged 31, was jailed last Friday (25 September) for four years and nine months, at Birmingham Crown Court.

Li, aged 26, was jailed for one year and six months.

The recovered funds and other assets will be subject to confiscation.

Det Inspector, Jon Green, from West Midlands ROCU, said: "This sentence was the result of a complex and protracted investigation. Liu and Li showed little regard for police action and continued with their offending before attempting to flee the country.

"They are now facing the consequences of their actions.

"Cash-based money laundering funds further criminal activity, but my teams are dedicated to disrupting those involved in financial crime and bringing offenders to justice. If you have any information you feel would be useful to us, please call us on 101 or report via live chat. Alternatively, you can anonymously share information with us via Crimestoppers UK."