The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Mexican national Carlos Erick Vazquez Gonzalez pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy for transferring approximately USD 4 million in U.S. drug trafficking proceeds to Mexico through cryptocurrency. Vazquez Gonzalez received the proceeds in a cryptocurrency wallet he controlled and quickly moved the funds to obscure their origins. He then sold the cryptocurrency for U.S. dollars in Mexico and returned the bulk cash to a money broker who had arranged the collection of drug profits across U.S. cities. He received an estimated USD 40,000 commission. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 17. Vazquez Gonzalez faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
2026-09-04U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Justice secures guilty plea in USD 4 million cryptocurrency laundering conspiracy
Mexican national Carlos Erick Vazquez Gonzalez pleaded guilty to laundering approximately USD 4 million in U.S. drug proceeds through cryptocurrency and returning the funds to Mexico. He received an estimated USD 40,000 commission and faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for Dec. 17.