Suggestion is ignored for nine years. U.S. cocaine consumption reaches 80 tons per year. Pays hit men to assassinate hundreds of police officers, judges, and government officals over the next nine years. Moving to seal off economy from drug investors, Arizona becomes first state to outlaw money laundering. U.S. Congress and lawmakers in 21 states follow suit by 1992.
New Jersey ignores trend, becomes laundering haven.
Sharp decline in value of Mexican and Colombian pesos fuels panic to convert funds into U.S. dollars. Drug agents confiscate 2,700 acres of land in Pennsylvania purchased with cartel profits from 10 tons of cocaine. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network opens. Studies find little cooperation between law enforcement agencies, outmoded technology, lack of funding and staffing for investigations due to cutbacks by Congress, poor enforcement of currency controls at casinos and border crossings. Included are bulldozers, building materials, cars, computers, televisions, and other consumer goods.