U.S. SAYS CANADIAN TRAFFICKERS LAUNDERING CASH

OTTAWA - Canadian drug traffickers are laundering illicit cash
through casinos and clandestinely shipping shady money to the
Caribbean and South America, says a U.S. intelligence report. Drug
proceeds also are being moved quietly into Canada and deposited in
banks, adds the stark assessment by the Drug Enforcement
Administration, which is leading the U.S. government's fight against
illegal substances.

The August DEA report, Money Laundering in Canada, says Canadian drug
traffickers intent on using casinos to launder their proceeds begin by
purchasing chips or opening an account at the gambling
establishment.

The trafficker gambles, but is careful to lose only a relatively small
sum of money, the report notes.

"The trafficker, or an associate, will then cash in the chips or
withdraw the funds, which appear to be legitimate winnings from the
account."

The report, which relies on DEA intelligence, doesn't refer to
specific Canadian casinos.