A screen illustrates the span of a global joint investigation called Operation Money Maker during a news conference at the FBI Las Vegas field office Wednesday, July 14, 2021.
Published Wednesday, July 14, 2021 | 3:23 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, July 14, 2021 | 4:38 p.m.
Investigations into money laundering in Southern Nevada are not unusual, said Aaron Rouse, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Las Vegas.
But a probe six years ago uncovered an international money laundering and drug trafficking conspiracy that reached more than 30 countries, and has triggered dozens of arrests, including six suspects who were recently indicted by a federal grand jury in Las Vegas.
Rouse, who refused to share specifics on the allegations and investigation during a news conference this morning, said the dismantling of the group has far-reaching consequences for other criminal organizations the suspects helped in South America, Russia, and Asia.
He compared the dismantled group to a “cog in the wheel.”
“The cog supports multiple other criminal organizations. Take the cog out, spokes fall,” Rouse said. “So, the disruption and significant impact that this (law enforcement) operation has cannot be overstated.”
Barak Amar, of Las Vegas; Moshe Malka, of Las Vegas; Arshak Arayan, of Los Angeles; Ofir Frieden, of San Jose, Calif.; Djekem Kedoshim, of Seattle, and Shine True, of Phoenix., were indicted on federal charges of money laundering and/or drug trafficking.
Amar, 51, allegedly conspired to distribute more than 1 pound of cocaine, officials said. Therefore, he is facing one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and six counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
He was indicted on June 30, arrested Monday and let out on bond today, federal court documents show.
There was no additional information on indictments, arrests, and custody statuses for the other five suspects on federal court records.
Arayan, 41, allegedly conspired to distribute more than 1 pound of cocaine. He is facing one count of conspiracy to distribute, and six counts of distribution of a controlled substance, officials said.
Frieden, 38, faces 45 counts of money laundering, eight counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and 10 counts of distributing the drug, officials said.
Kedoshim, 31, a business owner “who wrote a business check in the amount of illegal drug proceeds to co-conspirators,” is facing one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and four counts of money laundering, officials said.
Malka, 36, is accused of conspiring “with others to deposit illegal cash proceeds into his back account” and writing “checks to co-conspirators for the cash received,” officials said. He was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and 10 counts of money laundering.
True, 39, allegedly did the same as Malka, and is facing one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and eight counts of money laundering, officials said.
At the press conference, Rouse, who noted the investigation did not stem from a casino-related investigation, was flanked by law enforcement representatives from Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Colombia, Australia, Costa Rica and Romania.
If convicted, the suspects face decades-long prison sentences, officials said.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Money Maker,” has led to dozens of arrests worldwide, and involves millions of dollars and a “substantial” amount of drugs. Rouse didn’t expound on the numbers.
Rouse, who said the operation was ongoing, sent a message to persons who’ve been interviewed by law enforcement: “Collaboration is your best bet,” he said.
