Jamaican Men Sentenced for Major Money Laundering Operation

News Summary

Two Jamaican men, Dennis Raymond Rowe and St. Devon Anthony Cover, have been sentenced for their roles in an international money laundering organization linked to drug trafficking. Rowe received 52 months, while Cover was sentenced to 42 months. Both face deportation upon release. The operation laundered over $6 million and involved financial institutions in Massachusetts and overseas, highlighting the dangers posed by money laundering in conjunction with drug trafficking.

Boston, Massachusetts – Two Jamaican men have been sentenced for their significant roles in a sophisticated international money laundering organization that laundered over $6 million linked to drug trafficking proceeds. Dennis Raymond Rowe, 60, was sentenced to 52 months in prison, while St. Devon Anthony Cover, 61, received a 42-month sentence. Upon completing their prison terms, both men will face deportation.

The case has drawn attention due to the individuals’ involvement in a money laundering network that extended across multiple countries, predominantly utilizing banks in Massachusetts and other financial institutions in the Caribbean and Europe. A federal grand jury indicted Rowe and Cover, along with 18 other co-conspirators from Colombia, Jamaica, and Florida in May 2022.

The sentences were imposed by Federal Judge Richard G. Stearns on Wednesday, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation into drug-related financial crimes. Law enforcement began probing the organization in October 2016, and their investigation spanned five years, ultimately uncovering a wide range of illegal operations.

The laundering operation used the Colombian Black Market Peso Exchange (BMPE) to disguise drug trafficking activities and successfully evade currency exchange regulations. Rowe and Cover were identified as key players in the operation, having delivered cash earnings from drug sales to undercover enforcement agents during the investigation.

Additionally, investigators discovered approximately $1 million seized from corporate bank accounts tied to the laundering scheme, which highlighted the elaborate nature of the criminals’ financial dealings. Authorities were able to trace nearly 3,000 kilograms of cocaine back to the organization, with an estimated street value exceeding $90 million. This included substantial cocaine seizures, such as 1,193 kilograms captured at sea south of Jamaica in July 2019 and 1,555 kilograms found concealed in scrap metal containers in Colombia in March 2019.

The extent of the laundering operations revealed that Rowe was responsible for laundering over $600,000 while Cover laundered approximately $268,000. The organized efforts of these individuals, along with their associates, reflected the dangerous intersection of drug trafficking and financial crime.

This case has been highlighted by federal authorities as a success in dismantling complex financial networks that serve to support drug cartels. The investigation underscores the persistent dangers posed by money laundering on public safety, particularly in Massachusetts. Law enforcement officials have indicated that operations like these pose tremendous risks to the community and highlight the need for continued vigilance against financial crimes linked to drug trafficking.

As the sentences have been handed down and the case continues to be resolved, the consequences of such illicit activities remain profoundly impactful, demonstrating the extensive reach and influence of international drug trafficking networks.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Boston Herald: Massachusetts Banks Hit in Sophisticated International Money Laundering Conspiracy
• Wikipedia: Money Laundering
• WWLP: Massachusetts Court Convicts Two Jamaicans in Drug Cartel Money Laundering Scheme
• Google Search: Money Laundering
• WHDH: 2 Men Convicted by Federal Jury for Money Laundering Scheme Involving Massachusetts Banks
• Google Scholar: Money Laundering Schemes
• Providence Journal: Craig Clayton Admits Laundering $3.5 Million from Foreign Scams
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Money Laundering