The Sunshine & Lollipops Gang - How a one-time WAG joined a gang of Dubai money mules

Fresh From The Old Bailey

Jo-Emma Larvin used to date Joe Calzaghe, the longest-reigning super-middleweight world champion in boxing history.

But by the time of the pandemic, her life had moved on. She was living up in Yorkshire, when she was recruited for an easy-money gig. Would she like to take eight suitcases full of cash to Dubai? The pay was good: £3000 per trip. And she'd be but up in the best hotel in town: the Palm Jumeirah. In her luggage was over a million quid.

Jo-Emma was hardly the only one to say 'yes'. Lead by a housewife from Leeds who co-ordinated her mules from a WhatsApp group called 'Sunshine and Lollipops', Larvin was one of at least six mules who'd run the route, collectively trafficking over £100 million of British drug money into the emirate.

In March of 2023, she and four fellow-accused stood in the dock of Isleworth, fighting for their freedom - the most TOWIE-flavoured group that Crown Court had seen in a long time.

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