DEA accused of money laundering

Undercover agents in Mexico laundered millions of dollars in drug profits so they could find out how Mexican cartels move their funds.

The Drug Enforcement Administration was forced this week to defend its practice of laundering millions of dollars in drug profits in order to learn how Mexican cartels move their funds. Undercover agents regularly transported illegal cash across borders, reported The New York Times, and deposited it into drug traffickers’ bank accounts.

The DEA said its fight against money laundering has “led to important advances and detentions.” But Rep. Darrell Issa (R.-Calif.) compared the operation to the DEA’s failed Fast and Furious gun-running scheme, and asked Attorney General Eric Holder to explain it before a House committee.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up