23rd Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Illicit Finance
Professor Celina Realuyo, a researcher at the National Defense University, presented on the escalating crisis of synthetic drugs in the United States and its global ramifications. She underscored the epidemic of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, emphasizing their profound impact on public health, particularly among youth, and the expanding role of social media in drug distribution and marketing.
She elucidated the globalization of the illicit economy, wherein criminal networks exploit demand, border vulnerabilities, and digital platforms. Mexican cartels, collaborating with Chinese brokers, convert synthetic drugs into pill and candy formats, launder proceeds through cyberspace, trade-based methods, and real estate, and exploit gaps in law enforcement and financial regulation.
Realuyo conceptualized this as an element of asymmetrical warfare, with adversaries such as China employing illicit finance to target populations and undermine national security. She stressed the imperative to fortify anti-money laundering measures, regulate precursor chemicals, and integrate financial intelligence with cyber and digital tools to monitor and disrupt illicit networks. She also noted ongoing debates in the United States regarding the designation of Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Her primary call to action: governments must revise legislation to align with digital and financial advancements, safeguarding democracy and public welfare globally.
