Bolivian officials met with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) this week in Washington to coordinate a probe into cryptocurrency money laundering networks tied to drug trafficking. The collaboration focuses on Sebastian Marset, a fugitive described as the modern Pablo Escobar, who was arrested in Bolivia on March 13.
Ernesto Justiniano, Bolivia’s anti-drug czar, and Frans William Cabrera Quispe, director of the Bolivian Special Anti-Narcotics Force (FELCN), traveled to the U.S. to strengthen cooperation against criminal organizations. The investigation targets Marset’s network, along with Brazilian groups like the First Capital Command (PCC) and Red Command (Comando Vermelho), both accused of laundering millions using digital currencies.
According to an unsealed indictment, Marset, now in U.S. custody, allegedly laundered money through “couriers and tokens to covertly deliver bulk illicit currency, typically in euros.” Justiniano told local media that authorities are also looking into companies that may have diverted chemicals and received funds via cryptocurrencies for money laundering.
Cryptocurrency Used as Primary Tool
Mirko Sokol, General Commander of the Bolivian Police, said intelligence indicated Marset carried out transactions “primarily in cryptocurrencies, rather than in physical currency.” Investigators are following this lead to unravel the broader network. The meeting underscores a growing push among global regulators to integrate efforts against crypto-enabled crime.
Cryptocurrency money laundering has surged in recent years. Chainalysis, a blockchain intelligence firm, reported that crypto laundering volumes hit $82 billion in 2025, up from $10 billion in 2020. That represents an eightfold increase, with Chinese-linked groups playing a major role. Authorities worry that digital currencies offer a relatively efficient way to move illicit funds across borders, often bypassing traditional banking checks.
The probe into Marset’s operations could set a precedent for how nations collaborate on such cases. Bolivia and the U.S. seem to be taking a hands-on approach, combining local intelligence with DEA resources. It remains unclear how deep the crypto trails go, but the case highlights a shift in how drug cartels and other criminal groups handle money. They appear to have moved beyond cash and into digital assets, forcing law enforcement to adapt.
