4 Are Convicted in Los Angeles In the Laundering of Drug Profits
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A Federal jury convicted four men today of taking part in a $1 billion operation that laundered Colombian drug money through the jewelry markets of New York, Los Angeles and Houston. The scheme was described by Federal officials as the largest money-laundering operation ever prosecuted in this country. Officials said it was based on a triangular trade of drugs, gold and cash by Colombian drug traders. Two Los Angeles gold traders, Nazareth and Vahe Andonian, brothers who immigrated from Beirut, and an Argentine national who was said to be the mastermind of the scheme, Raul Silvio Vivas, were each convicted of 25 money laundering counts. Another defendant, Juan Carlos Seresi, also an Argentine national, was convicted on 20 money laundering counts. Each money laundering count carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Jury Continues Deliberations After announcing the verdicts today, Judge William Keller ordered the jury to continue deliberations on charges against a fifth defendant, Ruben Saini, another Argentine national. Mr. Saini is accused of 27 counts of money laundering and conspiracy. More : query.nytimes.com |