Illicit Finance

Drug-related money laundering in the Ohio HIDTA region typically involves the transportation of illicit drug proceeds in bulk from major metropolitan areas in the state to Mexico and to domestic drug markets, including those in Florida, New York, and southwestern states. Bulk currency typically is transported overland by Mexican DTOs in the same private and commercial vehicles used to transport drugs into the area. Traffickers also transport drug proceeds in bulk using couriers aboard commercial flights and through parcel delivery services, albeit to a lesser extent than by vehicle. Most drug proceeds transported to other domestic drug markets are eventually smuggled from the United States in bulk, often along with proceeds from other markets, and placed in foreign financial institutions for repatriation. Traffickers operating in the Ohio HIDTA region also launder illicit drug proceeds through other means, including commingling drug proceeds with revenue generated by legitimate businesses, using money services businesses, structuring bank deposits and money order purchases, and purchasing real estate and luxury vehicles.

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