Department of Justice officials to have power to issue fines for minor money laundering

'As an alternative under the new approach, an administrative fine could be issued in lieu of a criminal prosecution,' one official said.

Department of Justice officials are to be given the power to issue fines for breaches of money laundering laws, under Government plans.

This will provide another, less serious, option for more minor money laundering offences, with the current legal environment only allowing for a criminal prosecution.