THREE men have been jailed over a £1.65 million money-laundering conspiracy which was exposed when cash was uncovered in a lorry-load of loo rolls heading out of Poole.

Portuguese national Carlos Marques, 29, from Chase End, Epsom, Surrey, admitted two charges of conspiring to launder money between January 1 last year and April 16 this year.

His co-defendants - Portuguese lorry driver Antonio Da Silva, 47, and Spanish lorry driver Diego Morales-Carvajal, 56 - admitted a single conspiracy charge.

The three were arrested after a four-month National Crime Squad operation, code-named Sirenic, involving more than 80 officers.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, David Bartlett said the conspiracy involved concealing large quantities of cash in loads transported out of the UK to Portugal.

Undercover officers carried out surveillance at commercial premises Marques leased in Reigate Road, Epsom, from December 10 last year until April 15.

Da Silva and Morales-Carvajal were arrested at Poole on February 15 after customs officers, assisted by a sniffer dog, found £470,000 in sterling and euros hidden in a load of toilet rolls.

"The currency was in five plastic bags and a shoebox. Marques' fingerprint and DNA was found on one of the plastic bags," said Mr Bartlett.

Marques was arrested on April 15. During a search of his home various items were seized including four self-inking stamps, 11 mobile phones and 32 rolls of toilet tissue matching those found in the consignment intercepted at Poole port. In Marques' defence, the court heard that he had no direct links with the source of the money and was a man of previous good character.

Representing Da Silva, Robert Griffiths described his client as "a minor player", adding: "His job was solely being a driver and he did not know money was hidden in the load."

In Morales-Carvajal's defence, the court heard that it was the first time he had been to the UK for many years and his role had been "limited".

Jailing Marques for four and a half years, Recorder Jeremy Gibbons QC told him: "You were responsible for playing a part in money laundering totalling £1.65 million.

"Three lorry journeys were made with large amounts of cash between here and Portugal. Two succeeded - one did not. You were a vital part of the conspiracy and I have not the slightest doubt that you were or would have been handsomely rewarded."

Da Silva and Morales-Carvajal were each jailed for two years. Recorder Gibbons told them: "There is a heavy duty on lorry drivers to be alert and report any suspicions they have about their loads."