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

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Collier
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) --  An Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules 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 officials, 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 has been withheld for security purposes. "We're all happy to have been given the chance to represent the 302nd AW and the (Air Force) 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. Once the plane landed, 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 said "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 one of the longest international money laundering investigations in DEA history, said Don Caetano a DEA public affairs specialist. That investigation eventually identified two companies in the Panama Canal's free-trade area that 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 DEA officials, 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.