Could Guyana Become South America’s Next Drug Hub?
Guyana’s rapid economic expansion and new port development could make the country a more important cocaine transshipment point as U.S. military strikes in and near Venezuela disrupt established trafficking routes.
Financial Institutions Failing to Identify Activity Linked to Illicit Mining: Report
Banks and investors are failing to adequately screen for illegal mining risks even when operating in sectors highly exposed to the trade, according to a report by the World Wide Fund for Nature and financial-crime risk platform Themis.
Russia’s Latest Shadow-Fleet Cargo: GRU Veterans and Wagner Mercenaries
Russian military veterans, including former Wagner mercenaries and men linked to the GRU, have been deployed aboard tankers in Moscow’s “shadow fleet” moving sanctioned oil through the Baltic Sea.
MACC Chief Expected to Be Removed in May Amid Corruption Scandal
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to remove the nation’s anti-graft chief Azam Baki when his term ends, following claims that the agency he leads has employed mafia-style tactics for its own ends.
DOJ and Halkbank to Settle Sanctions-Evasion Case with DPA
The U.S. Justice Department is poised to resolve its long-running criminal case against Turkey’s state-owned Halkbank through a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA).
UK to Launch New Crime Center Aimed at Fighting Online Fraud
The UK on Monday unveiled a new three-year anti-fraud strategy, pledging more than £250 million between 2026 and 2029 to fight the crime, including through steps to disrupt online scams with a new data-sharing platform.
Hungary Calls for Russia Sanctions Lift, Mulls Keeping Seized Ukrainian Funds
Hungary has shifted from opposing a new EU sanctions package targeting Russia to calling on its fellow EU member-states to lift all restrictions on Moscow’s fossil-fuel industry.
Court Dismisses Lawsuit to Hold Binance, Zhao Liable for Terror Attacks
A U.S. federal judge has dismissed a civil lawsuit that sought to hold Binance and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, liable for transactions allegedly linked to terrorist groups behind 64 attacks worldwide.
Apparent ‘Narco-Ledger’ Points to Widespread Bribery by Slain Cartel Leader
Mexican officials are facing renewed scrutiny following the discovery of a ledger purportedly showing a series of bribes paid by slain Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera to police, security forces, and other authorities.
FinCEN Hits Canaccord Genuity with $80-Million Penalty
FinCEN said on Friday it had assessed an $80-million civil penalty against Canaccord Genuity LLC over AML failures tied to suspicious trading in OTC securities.