US charges six individuals in drug-cartel money laundering via cryptocurrency

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged participants in an organised crime group that laundered funds for Mexican drug cartels.

Superseding Indictment — 1-19-Cr-334 003 Redacted 0 by ForkLog on Scribd

Six individuals are named as defendants in the case. Investigators say they used casinos, front companies, cryptocurrency, bank accounts and cash smuggling to further their aims. The perpetrators relied on WeChat and WhatsApp to coordinate and relay information.

One of the scheme’s participants allegedly attempted to bribe a U.S. State Department official with cryptocurrency to obtain entry documents.

Five people allegedly participated in the conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

In total, the department charged the defendants with 14 counts. Each faces a prison sentence ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.

Earlier Europol reported the arrest of 20 suspects linked to the QQAAZZ gang. The operation involved 16 states, with about 40 searches conducted in five countries.

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