Colorado-based AF Reservists support bust of global money laundering case

Several armored trucks full of seized gold, silver and jewels wait to be unloaded April 8 as security personnel protect a 302nd Airlift Wing C-130 at a Panamanian air base. The seized assets were part of a joint Panama-U.S. investigation into an international drug money laundering scheme in the Central American country. The Air Force Reserve's 302nd AW was tasked with flying the seized precious metals and jewels back to the United States for further processing by Department of Justice agencies. (Courtesy photo/Drug Enforcement Agency)

Colorado-based AF Reservists support bust of global money laundering case

Agents from the U.S. Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Marshall's office and the DOJ's Criminal Division await the offloading of several pallets of seized gold, silver and jewels April 9 in Austin, Texas. The seize assets were part of a joint Panama-U.S. investigation into an international drug money laundering scheme in the Central American country. The Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing was tasked with flying the seized precious metals and jewels back to the United States from Panama for further processing by Department of Justice agencies. (Courtesy photo/Drug Enforcement Agency)

Colorado-based AF Reservists support bust of global money laundering case

Members of Panama's drug enforcement community pose in front of an armored truck full of seized gold, silver and jewels April 8 at a Panamanian air base. The seized assets, which filled several additional armored trucks, were part of a joint Panama-U.S. investigation into an international drug money laundering scheme in the Central American country. The Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing was tasked with flying the seized precious metals and jewels back to the United States for further processing by Department of Justice agencies. (Courtesy photo/Drug Enforcement Agency)

Reserve aircrew assists DEA with transfer of $40 million from global money laundering case

Published April 26, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Collier
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- An Air Force Reserve C-130 aircrew transported more than $40 million worth of gold, silver and jewels from Panama to the U.S. as part of one of the United State's longest investigations into an international drug money laundering scheme.

Several members of the Colorado-based 302nd Airlift Wing landed April 8 in Panama where they were met by agents from U.S. Department of Justice agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Criminal Division and the U.S. Marshall's office. According to a U.S. Department of Justice DEA news release, the federal agencies worked hand-in-hand with Panamanian authorities, who were each instrumental in investigating and charging two individuals with running the elaborate Central American scheme.

"This was the first time any of us had ever heard of such a unique mission," Capt. "Brian" said, whose last name was being withheld for security purposes. "We're all happy to have been given the chance to represent the 302nd AW and the AF Reserve."

Once the cargo, valued at $40 million, had been placed on three pallets and loaded onto the C-130, with federal agents in tow, it was off to Austin, Texas, where additional federal agents were waiting. After landing April 9 in the Lone Star state, the crew and agents offloaded and secured the more than 19,000 pounds of assets, which were then turned over to Department of Justice agencies.

"I think our crew never realized how big of a deal [the bust] was until we got back to the United States," Captain Brian pointed out. "The DEA agents were very thankful for our help, but all the gratitude should go to them. Their hard work and dedication denied drug dealers to collect on some hefty profits. I'm thankful for that and for what they do."

The millions of dollars worth of precious metals were seized as a result of what is considered to be one of the longest international money laundering investigations in DEA history, according to DEA public affairs specialist Don Caetano. That investigation eventually identified two companies in the Panama Canal's free trade area which were involved in illegal activities related to profits from narcotics sales. Both individuals who were detained in relation to the seizure ran each company, respectively.

According to the news release, the seized assets will be liquidated with the final proceeds from those sales going to the Department of Justice's Assets Forfeiture Fund. The fund can be used to enhance future criminal investigations, recognize the critical assistance of our foreign law enforcement counterparts and support other law enforcement initiatives.