Portland Ore. (KPTV) – The owner of a local monetary service company was arrested this week and faces federal accusations of money laundering involving drug cartels.
On Wednesday, federal investigators arrested 39 years old, Guatamalan, Brenda Lili Berrera orants, and searched the three popular Los Angeles stores which she owned and operated in Oregon and Washington. She is accused of having turned more than $ 18 million to drug trafficking organizations in Mexico and Honduras.
Popular stores in Beaverton, Hillsboro and Vancouver are closed after the store owner arrest. Many people attempted to go to the popular on Friday to send money or cash checks, many were surprised to see the stores closed and hear about the arrest.
“It’s crazy, it’s a mad money that is crazy,” said a client, Ellie, who did not want to share her full name.
After hearing about the arrest, Ellie said she was not completely surprised, adding over the years that she was wary of what was going on in these stores.
“We have seen a strange activity, like very fanciful luxury cars that come and go.
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According to federal investigators, between 2021 and 2024, Berrera Orants would accept the treasury of drug sales and cable large sums of money thanks to several transactions using false names. It would also charge 10% per additional wire.
“This survey has revealed the central role that monetary service companies play in the whitening enormous products of illegal drug trafficking in our community,” said Katie de Villiers, head of the active and money laundering division for the Oregon district. “The amount of dirty money that crosses these small businesses and the return to Mexico and Honduras is really amazing. We intend to hold responsible for operators of these companies who take advantage of it by helping drug trafficking organizations to launder their product. ”
Barrera Orants made his first appearance before the Federal Court on Thursday before an American magistrate. She was sentenced to stay in prison pending other legal proceedings.
“I’m glad justice is done and I hope the company will be closed and that makes the others that they are going to be caught,” said Ellie.
If Barrera Orants could condemn the next 20 years in a federal prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $ 500,000 or twice the value of bleached money.
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