Send this page to someone via email

The RCMP have laid charges against 17 people allegedly involved in an extensive international money laundering network with ties to organized crime and seized over $32-million in assets.

READ MORE: RCMP arrest 17 in alleged international money laundering scheme

At a news conference Tuesday, the RCMP said the network had cells in Montreal and Toronto that collected and laundered money from Montreal criminal groups.

“This procedure allowed for the laundering of significant amounts of money originating from illegal activities, including drug trafficking. The criminal organizations could thus import drugs through this network,” the RCMP said.

WATCH BELOW: Canada fails to convict cash-cleaning criminals

2:48 Canada fails to convict cash-cleaning criminals Canada fails to convict cash-cleaning criminals

Supt. Martine Fontaine said the network used connections in Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, the United States and China to launder money before returning it to drug-exporting countries, such as Colombia and Mexico.

Story continues below advertisement

“It’s like if you take money from your left pocket and then exit it through your right pocket,” RCMP Sgt. Francois-Olivier Myette officer told reporters.

Fontaine said it had the capacity to handle tens of millions of dollars.

READ MORE: Not just B.C.: Most provinces in Canada fail to secure convictions in money-laundering cases

On Monday more than 300 officers from the RCMP and other forces, aided by the Canada Revenue Agency, took part in raids in Ontario and Quebec as part of a probe named “Project Collector.” They seized drugs, cash and bank accounts and restrained real estate with a total estimated value of $32.8 million.

WATCH BELOW: Money laundering expert says Canada failing to prosecute financial crimes

2:03 Money laundering expert says Canada failing to prosecute financial crimes Money laundering expert says Canada failing to prosecute financial crimes

Seventeen people face charges including conspiracy, possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, gangsterism and laundering proceeds of crime.

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: Strong majority supports public inquiry into B.C. money laundering

The network’s alleged leaders, Nader Gramian-Nik, 56, of Vaughan, Ont., and Mohamad Jaber, 51, of Laval, Que., were among those arrested.

Three suspects at large

Francisco Javier Jiminez Guerrero, 35, Frederick Rayman, 77, and Victor Vargotskii, 56 are wanted by RCMP. (RCMP/Handout)

Three people are still being sought following Monday’s raids. They are Francisco Javier Jiminez Guerrero, 35, Victor Vargotskii, 56, and Frederick Rayman, 77.

Here are the names of those charged.

Montreal cell

Mohamad Jaber, 51 years, Laval

Kamel Ghaddar, 39 years old, Laval

Eric Bradette, 36 years old, L’Assomption

Sergio Violetta Galvez, 43 years old, Laval

Alexei Parasenco, 26 years old, Montreal

Mario Maratta 64, years old, Sainte-Sophie

Sorin Ehrlich, 62 years old, Montreal

Gary Maybee, 57 years old, Austin

Ontario cell

Nader Gramian-Nik, 56 years old, Vaughan

Tania Geramian-Nik, 28 years old, Vaughan

Sahar Shojaei, 45 years old, Thornhill

Thomas Hsueh, 47 years old, Thornhill

Mohammadreza Sheikhhassani, 55 years old, Richmond Hill

Shabnam Mansouri, 38 years old, Maple

*With files from Global News

Story continues below advertisement