HSI New York Special Agent in Charge, Argentine Minister of Security execute Declaration of Intent to enhance cooperative investigative efforts
NEW YORK — Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker and Patricia Bullrich, Minister of Security of Argentina, announced the Nov. 12 execution of a Declaration of Intent to enhance cooperative investigative efforts in combating money laundering and financial crimes.
The declaration outlines the participants’ intent to incorporate an Argentine Federal Law Enforcement Representative to the HSI New York El Dorado Task Force pending completion of a Memorandum of Understanding and seeks to leverage their investigative capabilities through the joint coordination.
“The El Dorado Task Force’s resounding investigative success is the product of HSI’s continued focus on leveraging international partnerships to combat the threat of global illicit finance,” said Walker. “With this Declaration of Intent, I am honored to welcome Argentina’s Ministry of Security to our growing law enforcement coalition. Alone, the work of each of our agencies is state-of-the-art; together, our investigative capabilities will be truly unmatched.”
Minister Bullrich said: “The United States and Argentina have signed an unprecedented agreement that will enhance access to U.S. law enforcement information and allow Argentina to follow the money trail of terrorists, drug traffickers, corrupt individuals, and human traffickers. For the first time, an officer from the Argentine National Gendarmerie will participate in Homeland Security Investigations’ El Dorado Financial Task Force in New York. The U.S. and Argentina will work together to disrupt the flow of money from criminals who harm our citizens.”
The parties recognized the longstanding relationship and cooperation between HSI and MoS, and the importance of enhancing coordinated efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations. Each party acknowledged that participation in HSI New York’s El Dorado Task Force improves investigative coordination and communication between them, as well as synchronizes coordinated responses to transnational crimes.
HSI New York leads and directs all operational and administrative activities of the El Dorado Task Force (EDTF). The EDTF is the premier money laundering task force in the nation and is comprised of more than 200 law enforcement personnel representing approximately 35 federal, state, and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Upon execution of the Memorandum of Understanding, the Argentine Ministry of Security will become the third foreign partner to join HSI New York’s EDTF.
The EDTF encompasses a standalone Cyber Division as part of an effort to stay abreast of emerging criminal threats and in keeping with current and future investigative priorities.
The mission of the EDTF is to disrupt, dismantle, or render ineffective, organizations involved in the laundering of proceeds of narcotics trafficking and other financial crimes. Since its inception in 1992, the Task Force has been responsible for the seizure of approximately $600 million and more than 2,100 arrests.