U.S. Shares $300K with Bonaire for Drug Assistance
- The U.S. Department of Justice shared over $300,000 in forfeited assets with Bonaire.
- Bonaire received the funds for their assistance with the Drug Enforcement Administration in a money exchange probe.
- The collaboration between the U.S. and Bonaire in combating drug-related activities is supported with financial aid.
On August 16, the U.S. Justice Department announced a significant financial collaboration with the Dutch Caribbean municipality of Bonaire, sharing more than $300,000 in forfeited criminal assets. The funds, totaling $300,921.09, were derived from the operations of an unlicensed money-transmitting business that facilitated the black market exchange of Venezuelan bolivars for U.S. dollars, highlighting ongoing concerns about illicit financial activities in the region. The investigation centered on Hjalmar Gibelli Gomez, who allegedly operated the illegal money-transmitting scheme. According to the Justice Department, Gibelli transferred approximately $2.5 million to fund the purchase of a luxury yacht named the Navigante, among other transactions. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri initiated a civil forfeiture complaint against the yacht in December 2017, citing violations of U.S. money laundering statutes. Bonaire's law enforcement played a crucial role in the operation, assisting in the seizure and forfeiture of the yacht. Authorities on the island restrained the Navigante, safely offloaded its crew, and facilitated the yacht's transfer, demonstrating effective international cooperation in combating financial crimes. Gibelli has consented to the forfeiture of the yacht and other related properties, marking a significant step in the Justice Department's efforts to dismantle illegal financial networks. The island of Bonaire, located approximately 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela, continues to be a strategic partner in these law enforcement initiatives.