Since most of the proceeds of drug sales head south, it is all about Customer Identification Programmes:

• Do you require two forms of official, photographic proof of identity? Do you decline to accept consular ID cards issued by any country that has been reported as having inadequate control over how they are obtained?
• Do you perform World-Check enquiries on all parties to funds transfers to Mexico and Latin America, not just your customer/remitter?
• Is your compliance staff alert for international funds transfers that purport to be commercial transactions, that are requested at the very end of the business day, the end of the week, or on the eve of a national or banking holiday?
• Do you number importers amongst your clients who have substantial financial traffic with high-risk drug-producing or drug-transit countries?
• Have the amount of your funds transfers into Latin America radically increased during any specific time periods in recent years?

Remember, keep your compliance staff on alert for the signs of any organised funds transfer pipeline that may be using your institution.