From September 9 to 13 September 2024, FIU Mauritius was part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) workshop which was conducted on Conspiracy and Complex Investigations in Seychelles. The forum addressed several key areas, beginning with operational planning, which included safety protocols, operational setup, and contingency planning. Participants also explored money pickup strategies, learning about the “Attorney General Exemption Operations.” This approach allows DEA officers to provide money laundering services to infiltrate illicit networks and facilitate the arrest of entire conspiratorial groups rather than just individual operatives. Successful case studies were presented to illustrate this method.
Another significant topic covered was confidential source management, emphasizing the importance of effectively managing these sources to ensure reliable information while minimizing risks. The workshop also included training on techniques for data retrieval and analysis, which encompassed basic cryptocurrency knowledge and the use of open-source tools for blockchain exploration. The event concluded with a certificate award ceremony featuring speeches from representatives of the U.S. Embassy, the DEA, and the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles.