BOSTON – Seivright Donald Afflick, 56, a Jamaican national, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 37 months for his role in a massive international money laundering scheme linked to Colombian drug cartels. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns, will be followed by deportation proceedings, effectively kicking Afflick out of the United States once his time is served.
Afflick pleaded guilty in February 2024 to charges of money laundering conspiracy and conducting substantive money laundering transactions. The case stems from a five-year investigation – launched in 2016 – into a sophisticated organization operating out of Barranquilla, Colombia. Federal investigators allege the group washed over $6 million in drug profits through a complex network of banks in the U.S., Massachusetts included, as well as institutions in the Caribbean and Europe. The scheme relied heavily on the Colombian Black Market Peso Exchange (BMPE), a classic trade-based method for funneling illicit funds back to Colombia.
The investigation employed an undercover agent posing as an international money launderer. This agent infiltrated the organization, arranging meetings to collect bulk cash around the globe. Individuals like Afflick acted as crucial “money couriers.” Afflick specifically made two trips to Jamaica, delivering large sums of cash that were then deposited into the undercover agent’s Massachusetts bank account. From there, the funds were wired and ultimately repatriated to the Colombian drug traffickers who originated the dirty money. Authorities have traced approximately $670,000 in laundered proceeds directly to Afflick’s actions.
Afflick was one of 20 individuals named in a 50-count indictment in March 2022. He is the sixth defendant to receive a sentence. Three others have pleaded guilty and are awaiting their day in court, while the remaining defendants maintain their innocence and are preparing for trial. This isn’t just about one man; it’s about dismantling a complex criminal infrastructure that fuels the drug trade.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua R. Levy and Stephen Belleau, Acting Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division, announced the sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared C. Dolan and Alathea E. Porter spearheaded the prosecution. This case is part of a larger Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, a multi-agency initiative aimed at crippling the highest-level criminal organizations threatening the nation. More information on OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
It’s crucial to remember that the details presented in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. But the conviction of Afflick sends a clear message: moving drug money carries serious consequences, and federal investigators will relentlessly pursue those who facilitate it, no matter where they hide.
RELATED: Jamaican Man Gets 37 Months for Laundering $670,000 in Drug Proceeds
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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