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National Drug Intelligence
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Drug traffickers in the Lake County HIDTA region launder illicit funds generated by drug sales through a variety of methods. Bulk cash smuggling is the primary method used by Mexican traffickers to move drug proceeds from the HIDTA region to Mexico. Bulk cash is often transported to Chicago for consolidation and concealment in hidden compartments of private and commercial vehicles for eventual transportation to the Southwest Border and Mexico. Money services businesses (MSBs) such as money remitters and check-cashing firms are plentiful in Lake County and are often used by Mexican DTOs to launder drug proceeds. These businesses allow customers to move proceeds outside the United States with relative anonymity in amounts below the threshold set by the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). Mexican DTOs also purchase small, cash-based businesses, such as restaurants and used car lots; they use these businesses to commingle illicit proceeds with legitimate funds. Street gang members and independent dealers launder drug proceeds through the purchase of small cash-based businesses, luxury items, and real estate. In addition, Lake County has four riverboat casinos, where drug traffickers use illicit proceeds to gamble. Traffickers purchase casino chips and later cash them out, reporting the proceeds as winnings and making them appear legitimate.
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