Two Mexican nationals have been handed federal prison sentences for orchestrating a money laundering operation that shuffled drug trafficking proceeds from the U.S. to Mexico. Mauricio Anzures-Zarate and Beatriz Salcedo-Carreon participated in a Black Market Peso Exchange scheme that lasted two years and moved millions of dollars, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Texas. Anzures-Zarate, 53, of Mexico City, Mexico, and Salcedo-Carreon, 63, of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, pleaded guilty on April 15, 2024, and January 7, 2025, respectively, paving the way for their sentencing to 55 months each in federal prison.
Following their prison terms, both individuals, who are not U.S. citizens, are expected to face removal proceedings; additionally, they were ordered to pay sizeable money judgments. "The defendants used an elaborate, trade-based money laundering scheme to exploit our financial system and transfer the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking from the United States to Mexico," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti in a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Texas. Anzures and Salcedo were implicated in the collection of drug proceeds from numerous U.S. cities, which were then funneled to accounts or individuals linked to Mexican cartels.
The intricate Black Market Peso Exchange used by the defendants involved local businesses in Laredo, Texas, which accepted drug money as payment for goods, subsequently shipped to Mexican businesses. This scheme allowed the cartel to receive drug proceeds in Mexico without the necessity of physically transporting cash across the border, effectively laundering the money under the guise of legitimate trade.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Lucy Tan of the IRS Criminal Investigation's Houston Field Office commented on the case, warning businesses tempted by fast cash transactions to launder drug money, "remember that we will find you because your greed leaves evidence," as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Eight other individuals were previously convicted and sentenced in connection with the same money laundering conspiracy. The investigation into this matter was a collaborative effort between the DEA, IRS-CI, with assistance from the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs and other international partnerships.
Prosecution was carried out by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lance Watt, Amanda Gould, and former AUSA José Angel Moreno, who teamed up with Trial Attorneys Keith H. Liddle and Stephanie Williamson from the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
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