Belize Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Tens of Millions in Drug Proceeds for International Cartels

Subtitle

A major player in an international money laundering network based in Belize City has admitted to his role in the scheme [1].

Guilty Plea by Juan Doe

Juan Doe, a Belize City man, pleaded guilty on [date] to conspiracy to commit money laundering [2].
Doe was part of an extensive international money laundering network [3].

Money Laundering Activities

From 2018 through 2021, Doe conspired with others to provide financial services to foreign narcotics traffickers [4].
Received drug proceeds from different countries, primarily Belize and Mexico [5].
Laundered illicit funds through US bank accounts [6].
Concealed origin and ownership of funds [6].
Purchased real estate and invested in businesses [7].
Received instructions through encrypted messaging apps [8].

Origin of Drug Proceeds

Estimated millions of dollars were derived from sale and distribution of various narcotics, including cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl [9].

Sentencing and Investigation

Faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years [2].
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by 10 different law enforcement agencies [10].

[1] Subtitle [2] Department of Justice press release [3] Allegations in criminal complaint and statement of facts [4] Criminal complaint and statement of facts [5] Criminal complaint and statement of facts [6] Criminal complaint and statement of facts [7] Criminal complaint and statement of facts [8] Criminal complaint and statement of facts [9] Criminal complaint and statement of facts [10] Department of Justice press release

Law Enforcement Agencies Involved

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division
DEA El Paso Division
DEA Atlanta Division
DEA Miami Division
DEA Phoenix Division
DEA Las Cruces Resident Office
DEA El Paso Intelligence Center
Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington D.C. Field Office
Belize Police Department

Criminal Charges

Juan Doe, a Belize City man, pleaded guilty on [date] to conspiracy to commit money laundering, as part of an extensive international money laundering network. The guilty plea was announced by G. Zachary Terwilliger, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Money Laundering Activities

From in or around 2018 through in or around 2021, Doe conspired with others to provide financial services to foreign narcotics traffickers. He received drug proceeds from different countries, primarily Belize and Mexico, and laundered those illicit funds through various US bank accounts. The laundering activities involved concealing the origin and ownership of the source of funds, purchasing real estate, and investing in businesses. Doe admittedly received instructions on the transactions through encrypted messaging apps.

Drug Proceeds and Criminal Enterprises

The drug proceeds, estimated in millions of dollars, were derived from the sale and distribution of various narcotics, including cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, in the United States and other countries. Doe’s guilty plea underscores the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat international money laundering and drug trafficking schemes.

Ongoing Investigation

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Belize Police Department. Assisted by the DEA’s New York Division, El Paso Division, Atlanta Division, Miami Division, Phoenix Division, El Paso Intelligence Center, and Las Cruces Resident Office.

Sentencing and Prosecution

Doe now faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Background

A major player in an international money laundering network, based in Belize City, has admitted to his role in the scheme, according to the US Department of Justice.

Juan Doe’s Guilty Plea

Juan Doe, a Belize City man, pleaded guilty on [date] to conspiracy to commit money laundering [1].
Participated in an international money laundering network [2].
Received drug proceeds, primarily Belize and Mexico [3].
Laundered tens of millions of dollars in drug proceeds [4].

Money Laundering Activities

Provided financial services to foreign narcotics traffickers [4].
Concealed origin and ownership of funds [5].
Purchased real estate and invested in businesses [6].
Received instructions on transactions through encrypted messaging apps [7].

Origin of Drug Proceeds

Drug proceeds were derived from sale and distribution of various narcotics in US and other countries [4].

Law Enforcement Efforts

This case underscores the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat international money laundering and drug trafficking schemes [8].
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by 10 different law enforcement agencies [9].

Sentencing and Criminal Charges

Faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years [1].
Charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering [1].

Juan Doe’s Criminal Charges and Activities

Network Participation

Part of an international money laundering network [1].
Provided financial services to foreign narcotics traffickers [2].
Received drug proceeds from different countries, primarily Belize and Mexico [3].
Concealed origin and ownership of funds [5].
Purchased real estate and invested in businesses [6].

Laundering of Drug Proceeds

Conducted laundering activities through various US bank accounts [3].
Drug proceeds, estimated in millions of dollars, were derived from the sale and distribution of various narcotics, including cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, in the United States and other countries [4].

Background

A Belize City man, named in court records as Juan Doe, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit money laundering, as part of an extensive international money laundering network that laundered tens of millions of dollars in drug proceeds on behalf of notorious drug trafficking organizations.

Juan Doe’s Criminal Activities

Received drug proceeds from different countries, primarily Belize and Mexico [5].
Concealed origin and ownership of funds [5].
Purchased real estate and invested in businesses [7].
Received instructions on transactions through encrypted messaging apps [8].

Sentencing and Ongoing Investigation

Now faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years [2].
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by 10 different law enforcement agencies [9].