Cecilia L. Gardner of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee has been invited to participate in an all-day information-gathering session between the financial community and the El Dorado Money Laundering Task Force. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the financial community to representatives of the El Dorado Task Force and members of the High Intensity Money Laundering and Related Crime Area Intelligence Center.

In addition, the meeting, which will be held March 16 in New York City, will highlight areas of interest to both the New York financial community and law enforcement. El Dorado Money Laundering Task Force and HIFCA Intelligence Center are part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Bureau of Immigration and Customers Enforcement.

The New York HIFCA has two-inter-related components: operations and intelligence. The El Dorado Task Force was established in 1992 and is the largest and most successful such program in the United States with more than two hundred investigators representing twenty federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The intelligence component is known as the El Dorado HIFCA Intelligence Center and is composed of approximately 16-law enforcement and analytical personnel representing 14-law enforcement and regulatory agencies. The Center’s aim is to provide timely and accurate intelligence information regarding money laundering trends, patterns, and methodologies to law enforcement and regulatory agencies.

Gardner said the meeting is an opportunity to learn how other industries comply with USA PATRIOT Act and a chance for law-enforcement agencies to learn about the unique needs of the jewelry industry. Once regulations are issued, companies will have six months to comply.

“This is an opportunity to ensure that both the intelligence and enforcement communities develop an accurate understanding of our industry,” Gardner said. “This meeting is an excellent way to learn how other industries that the government feels are vulnerable to money-laundering schemes are implementing required anti-money laundering programs.”

JCK