Boston – The grimy details of an international money laundering operation have been unveiled as Colombian national Pedro Mejia Salazar, 73, of Medellin, pleaded guilty in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to launder drug proceeds.
Mejia arrived in Boston from Colombia on May 3, 2017, and has been charged with one count of conspiracy to launder money. His sentencing is set for July 27, 2017.
Court documents reveal that Mejia utilized his family business to wash at least $768,586 in drug proceeds for the notorious La Oficina de Envigado criminal syndicate between May 2009 and June 2012.
Mejia’s operation was dismantled through a collaboration with a cooperating source and an undercover federal agent posing as a money broker. The investigation involved the transfer of bulk cash from couriers to Mejia’s accounts, which were then used to distribute funds in Colombia.
The charge of conspiracy to launder money carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines reaching $500,000 or twice the value of the laundered property. Actual sentences often fall short of these maximums.
This case is part of Operation Powerplay, an extensive investigation targeting Colombian-based money brokers who facilitate the return of drug proceeds to their home country through international financial systems. To date, the operation has led to significant seizures and arrests, including those involving cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, marijuana, and heroin.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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