No Spin Cycle: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Homeland Security Investigations' Efforts in Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
Abstract
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the second largest investigative agency in the United States after the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Its purview involves a wide range of federal offenses including money laundering and terrorist financing. Despite its newness in the criminal investigation arena, HSI has made significant strides in carrying out its mission to secure the United States from transnational threats and criminal organizations. International terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations, such as the Sinaloa cartel, cannot carry out their criminal activities without laundering their illicit funds. This thesis explores the statutory authority of HSI and its effectiveness in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. Using qualitative and comparative case studies, this thesis assesses HSI's challenges and successes in anti-money laundering operations, citing seizure statistics derived from its case management system. It ends with recommendations for HSI's leadership to better support field agents, enumerating key initiatives for agency resiliency and branding, such as leveraging full Title 21 authority and highlighting successes through public relations offices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1225592
Entities
People
- Allan Swafford
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School