Remember your geopolitics; several West African nations (from Cote D'Ivoire to Senegal) are very close to Eastern Brazil, and air and maritime routes between the two regions are relatively free of law enforcement. Colombian narcotraficantes have been moving their contraband into the area, and thereafter via surface transportation and coastal shipping, towards Morocco and ultimately, European consumers.

Since the payment routes for smuggling out cash paid for the drugs sold may hide within, or simulate, legitimate business transactions to and from the African delivery route. Bottom line, increase your level of awareness and scrutiny of international financial transactions between your bank in Europe and:

• Ivory Coast

• Liberia

• Sierra Leone

• Guinea

• Guinea-Bissau

• Senegal

• Cape Verde Islands

• Mauritania

• Morocco

A prudent compliance officer recognises that the recent developments involving drugs of South American origin being smuggled through West Africa increases the level of risk for money laundering.