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FinCEN targets southwest border MSBs to combat drug cartel money laundering

Image of the southern border of the US with cargo bins (serving as a barrier) near a waterway.
Cargo bins form a barrier on the southern US border. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images

Designation of these cartels is designed to help cut off access by entities associated with the groups to the US financial system.

The illicit activities and money laundering of Mexico-based drug cartels and other criminal actors along the southwest border of the US have been targeted in a fresh initiative.

The US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued a Geographic Targeting Order (GTO) requiring all money