ICE, Department of Justice host judicial conference
US, Colombian, Salvadoran, Mexican judges among those in attendance
US, Colombian, Salvadoran and Mexican federal judges participated in judicial conference in Puebla, Mexico
PUEBLA, Mexico – U.S., Colombian, Salvadoran and Mexican federal judges participated in a three-day judicial conference that ended Thursday. The conference focused on the role judges play in criminal court cases tied to money laundering and asset forfeiture cases.
The conference, which was the fourth of its kind, was hosted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Attaché Office in Mexico and the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development and Training (OPDAT).
The goal of the conference was to share best practices and identify new trends and alternative approaches to criminal proceedings linked to money laundering and asset forfeiture.
The U.S. judges participating in the conference represented Montana, Connecticut, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
“When we attack transnational criminal organizations by targeting their pockets, we are in effect paralyzing them, striking at the core and hindering their operations,” said HSI Mexico Attaché Tim Tubbs. “By sharing best practices, trends and investigative techniques, we’re building necessary bridges to dismantle this global financial threat.”
"This collaboration is not only a sign of continued cooperation between our countries, but a testament to our bilateral commitment to fighting these crimes,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ken Blanco.
HSI combats the methods criminal organizations use to launder money, move bulk cash, exploit global trade networks, conduct illicit insurance schemes, and manipulate online financial systems and Internet technologies to conceal their illicit profits. In fiscal year 2014 alone, HSI made 6,805 separate seizures, which included more than $720 million in currency seizures. Additionally, HSI arrested more than 32,000 individuals, of which 20,000 were criminally indicted and 18,700 were convicted.
Through ICE's Office of International Operations and the U.S. Department of State, HSI has 67 attaché offices in 48 countries around the world. HSI special agents work closely with foreign law enforcement agencies and through a robust network of specialized, vetted units known as Transnational Criminal Investigative Units.
Updated: