A HUSBAND and wife accused of ‘laundering’ cigarettes worth more than £180,000 have appeared in court.

Geoffrey Peter Jones, 42, and Donna Marie Jones, 43, of Toft Close, Saltney, face charges connected with illegally importing hundreds of thousands of cigarettes.

Geoffrey Jones admitted two charges of moving and concealing prohibited imported goods at Chester Crown Court.

He also pleaded guilty to illegally possessing cigarettes valued at £3,561.

He denied two other counts of moving and concealing prohibited imported goods and both defendants denied illegally concealing the transfer of criminal property in the form of £183,000 worth of cigarettes. Donna Jones also denied moving and concealing prohibited imported goods.

Prosecutor Owen Edwards said Geoffrey Jones, owner of a fruit and vegetable shop in Wrexham, was stopped by police in his van on April 16, 2010. He was found to be in possession of counterfeit cigarettes and cigarettes for which no tax had been paid.

Judge David Hale halted the proceedings when he learned the defence team was not in a position to proceed because statements were incomplete.

The pair were ordered to surrender their passports and were released on unconditional bail pending their next court appearance on Friday, August 26.