MOSCOW, March 31 (RAPSI) – The Moscow City Court extended the detention of five members of a criminal gang charged with laundering about 36 billion rubles (over $616 million), RAPSI learnt in the court on Tuesday.

The alleged leader of the gang Sergei Magin and his accomplice Vadim Rybalchenko will remain in detention until July 5. Magin stands charged with illegal banking activity and organizing a criminal gang.

The detention of three other alleged members of the gang has been extended until July 6.

The gang which was comprised of over 400 men has been operating for over five years in different Russian regions, according to prosecutors.

The money were allegedly laundered through several commercial banks which were controlled by the gang and over 100 shell companies registered in Russia and abroad.

The money ended up in banks in Baltic states and Cyprus, according to prosecutors. 

The estimated income of the gang exceeded 575 million rubles ($9.8 million).