Rossi, with a militancy in Rosario, specified that decree 85/2023, published today in the Official Gazette, “will make it possible to increase efficiency in the fight against money laundering, often derived from drug trafficking.”
According to the decree, UFI headquarters may be established in each region of the country: Central Region, integrated by Córdoba and Santa Fe; Cuyo Region, integrated by La Rioja, Mendoza, San Juan and San Luis; Coastal Region, by Corrientes, Entre Ríos and Misiones; North Region by Catamarca, Chaco, Formosa, Jujuy, Salta, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán; Pampean Region, for Buenos Aires and La Pampa; Patagonian Region, by Chubut, Neuquén, Río Negro, Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands.
In the recitals of the decree, it is indicated that the operation of the Regional Agencies allows the FIU, among other issues, “to improve the tasks of analysis of financial information, supervision and cooperation with the regulated entities, public and private organizations; facilitate the sending and receiving information; collaborating in the prevention of illicit acts both by national and international organizations, originating from money laundering, its preceding crimes and the financing of terrorism”.
Also, it is emphasized that “In recent years, the number of reports of suspicious operations with operations carried out in the city of Rosario has increased” and that “in a similar sense, said city is one of the ones with the largest number of regulated entities registered with the Unit of Financial information”.
Simultaneously, it is described that Rosario “currently stands as a locality of vital importance, not only in terms of population size and volume of commerce, but fundamentally, due to its current fight against organized crime in general and crimes related to trafficking and illicit commercialization of narcotic drugs, provided for in Law No. 23,737, one of the most significant precedent offenses for the offense of money laundering, in particular”.
Likewise, it states that from the National Assessment of Money Laundering Risks of Argentina report, “approved by Decree No. 653/22, on the one hand, a large number of criminal organizations based in Rosario emerge, as well as criminal activity and levels of violence above the national average.
In line, it is noted that this “constitutes, in addition, one of the main national destination points for drug trafficking” and highlights “in terms of drug crime, the prominent role of fluvial transport (through the Paraná River, Paraná-Hidrovía Paraguay) or air (irregular flights) both to explain the entry of the substance into the country, as well as its displacement through the national territory and, eventually, its subsequent illegal export”.
Therefore, it emphasizes that the “The constant increase in these scourges requires joining efforts in the search for a comprehensive and effective response by state agencies with competence in the matter.”
It also emphasizes that “this type of crime has been strengthening thanks to the close ties that criminal structures have, their ability to mobilize a huge amount of funds or other assets, and the methods to hide the illicit origin of their assets.”
In this regard, the recitals point out that “financial flows and, mainly, asset laundering associated with the crimes provided for in Law No. 23,737 has been reaching an ever greater and more complex role, for which reason having a headquarters in the city of Rosario, Santa Fe, will allow the FIU to more effectively implement its own functions, within the framework of its competence”.
Source: Ambito
