I was one of many attorneys who assisted on this matter. Operation Casablanca was a law enforcement undercover operation that resulted in numerous criminal money laundering convictions of drug foreign bankers, and two foreign banking organizations with operations in the United States - - Bancomer, S.A., Mexico City, Mexico and Banca Serfin, S.A., Lomas de Sante Fe, Mexico. The Federal Reserve provided substantial assistance to the United States Customs Service and the United States Department of Justice during the undercover operation and subsequent prosecutions.

In reality it was nothing more than outrageous government conduct and ruled as such by the court in many cases.

The money used in the money laundering was not from drug trafficking but rather money provided by the US government. The sole drug trafficker involved became a confidential informant in the early 90s. When the drug trafficker would not turn on members of the Cali Cartel, the drug trafficker convinced the federal government to change their strategy.

Instead of going after members of the Cali Cartel, the government started targeting bank employees of several foreign banks. These bank employees did not work in the United States, but rather worked in their own country complying to their respective laws.

The operation worked as such, the federal reserved transferred millions of dollars to the foreign banks through the confidential informant. The confidential information would open accounts at the foreign banks while posing as a businessman from Santa Fe Springs, California. It was a highly sophisticated setup by the Department of Justice.

The DOJ made the operations look extremely legitimate, as a transportation company. The DOJ and the CI represented to the bankers that the CI was a proprietor of a very successful trucking operation. The government leased significant space and assets to make the business to appear to be legitimate. In addition, the government had faked financials that made the company look extremely successful. Many, if not all, of the bankers inspected the premises and the books.

The operation would wire millions of dollars to the foreign banks. The federal reserved ensured that non of the proper paper work was needed, completely duping the foreign banks into believing the transactions were legit. The CI would order the foreign banks to transfer the funds back to the company.

Eventually, the CI contacted the bankers and thank them for their partnership. The CI then informed the bankers that through all of the trucking company's success the trucking company had purchased the Casablanca Casino in Mesquite, Nevada.

All of the bankers were invited to a dinner at the casino. Those who couldn't travel to the casino were invited to separate events in Miami and San Diego. Upon arrival all were arrested and charged with violating US law.

The international community was outraged. Secretary of State, Madeliene Albright was outraged. Attorney General Janet Reno received a great deal of politcal pressure for the outrageous conduct.

Many, but not all of the bankers were acquitted. Those with private attorneys appeared to fair better at trial than those with a public defender.

The crooked CI recived over $10,000,000 from the government in his role in the outrageous sting operation.

It was a sad day for the American justice systm.