Dozens Charged In US With Conspiring To Launder Drug Cash

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Federal prosecutors say dozens of people across the U.S. have been charged in connection with an international conspiracy to launder tens of millions of dollars in drug money for Mexican cartels.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego unsealed 40 indictments Thursday of defendants accused in the scheme dating back to 2015.

Officials say investigators seized more than $6 million as well as weapons and large quantities of drugs including methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana.

Prosecutors say Mexican-based brokers oversaw a network of "money movers" who transported drug proceeds throughout the U.S. and deposited it into so-called funnel bank accounts. From there the funds were wired to accounts in Mexico.

Authorities say 75 people are charged in the U.S., with some accused of drug distribution.

(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast rewritten or redistributed.)