Captial Briefs: U.S. Nabs 26 Mexican Bankers on Laundering

In the biggest money-laundering crackdown ever, 26 officials at 12 Mexican banks were indicted, government officials said Monday.

Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin and Attorney General Janet Reno held a joint press conference to reveal the results of Operation Casablanca.

In addition to the Mexican bankers, three Mexican banks were indicted: Confia, Bancomer, and Banca Serfin. The last two operate branches in the United States.

"We are not going to let up," Ms. Reno said. "We are going to keep the heat on drug traffickers and money managers."

Twenty-two Mexican bankers were arrested Saturday and Sunday after being lured to California and Nevada for what they thought were parties, government officials said.

Law enforcement officials also expect to seize $157 million in drug profits.

The bankers are being accused of knowingly accepting deposits they knew came from the sale of illegal drugs.

Mr. Rubin said it is up to the Federal Reserve Board to decide whether foreign banks implicated in the three-year undercover investigation may retain their U.S. operations.

The Fed issued cease-and-desist orders Monday against the U.S. affiliates of Bancomer, Banc Serfin, Banco Nacional del Mexico, Banco Internacional, and Spain-based Banco Santander.

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