A major scandal is erupting around famous American investment coins. According to the influential The New York Times, the US Mint may have been involved in "laundering" gold of suspicious origin linked to Colombia's most dangerous criminal groups. Zamin.uz introduces the details of this sensational investigation.
Criminal Scheme: From Colombian Mines to Texas Plants
According to the publication, this complex chain begins at the "La-Mandingu" clandestine mines controlled by Colombia's "Clan del Golfo" drug cartel. Illegally mined gold takes on a "legal" appearance on paper through traders in the city of Kaukasiya.
Over the past year, approximately $255 million worth of such metal was sent to the Dillon Gage plant in Texas. There, the gold was remelted, documented as "American gold," and delivered to the US Mint. This raw material is used to produce the famous "American Gold Eagle" coins, which have an annual turnover exceeding $1 billion.
20 Years of Negligence and Audit Results
In fact, according to a law passed by the US Congress in 1985, the Mint is required to use only domestic gold mined within US territory. However, a 2024 audit by the US Department of the Treasury revealed a shocking reality:
For the last twenty years, the Mint has not verified the origin of the raw materials and has not asked a single question to the suppliers. As a result, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of foreign and suspicious gold entered the supply chain.
Department's Response: Balancing Security and Demand
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that strict investigations into this situation have now begun. According to him, the main goal is to ensure supplier compliance with the law and to protect national security.
At the same time, the Department admitted it faces a difficult situation: if foreign gold is completely abandoned, it will be impossible to meet the massive market demand for investment coins.
Dear readers, do you think such mistakes by prestigious state organizations are excusable? Which is more important: "clean" gold or market demand?
Continue to follow the global economy and interesting events on Zamin.uz.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
