An indictment was unsealed today in Brooklyn, charging Alain Bibliowicz Mitrani with conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. The Miami resident, also a citizen of France and Colombia, allegedly led a scheme that laundered over $300 million for transnational criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, including the Sinaloa Cartel. Mitrani is set to make his initial court appearance today in Florida and will be arraigned later in New York.
John J. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, stated: “As alleged, the defendant used a seemingly legitimate technology company as a front for engaging in a multi-million dollar scheme that deliberately flouted federal laws to launder over $300 million, including for cartels and transnational criminal organizations engaged in drug trafficking.” He emphasized the commitment to prosecute those aiding international drug traffickers.
HSI Acting Special Agent Michael Alfonso commented: “Alain Bibliowicz Mitrani’s alleged money laundering scheme crumbled today... Every day, HSI’s El Dorado Task Force stands alongside our law enforcement partners...”
IRS-CI New York Special Agent Harry T. Chavis Jr. added: “With no regard for the rule of law, Bibliowicz supposedly laundered more than a quarter billion dollars in drug money.”
The indictment claims that from 2020 to 2024, Mitrani owned a company used as a front for laundering drug proceeds through U.S. financial institutions. The operations were based in Florida and Colombia but posed as legitimate technology businesses.
Mitrani allegedly established shell companies to open bank accounts and obscure funds' sources while misleading U.S. financial institutions about their activities without registering as required by law. Records indicate over $300 million was laundered.
Profits from this scheme reportedly funded Mitrani's personal expenses and luxury lifestyle purchases like diamond jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels and payments on his Miami mansion.
If convicted on charges of money laundering conspiracy offenses, Mitrani could face up to 20 years’ imprisonment per count; the unlicensed money transmitting charge carries up to five years’ imprisonment.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation aimed at disrupting high-level criminal networks threatening the United States through collaborative efforts across various agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Amir and Philip Pilmar are handling the prosecution under E.D.N.Y Docket No. 25-CR-39 (CBA).