A man from Jacksonville, Florida, is facing more than four years behind bars in federal prison following his guilty plea to involvement in a money laundering operation exceeding $250,000.

According to the Department of Justice’s court records, 53-year-old Mauricio Chahine was identified by a confidential informant to the Drug Enforcement Administration as a “money launderer capable of transferring funds from the United States to other nations.”

Upon receiving the tip, the DOJ states that undercover agents had contacted Chahine, asking to meet, to which he agreed. 

In March 2024, Chahine encountered two agents posing as cocaine dealers. When they requested assistance with moving their money, Chahine inquired about the sum, the destination, and the urgency of the transfer, displaying little hesitation.

When asked by the undercover agents if he knew they dealt in cocaine, the DOJ noted his indifference to their activities.

The DOJ further reports that Chahine admitted to the agents that he had been laundering money since 1999 and highlighted his “skills” in moving money across various countries.

Court records reveal that Chahine accepted a total of $217,975 in cash and an additional $50,000 in counterfeit currency through several transactions. At times, he requested the undercover agents provide him with fake invoices to mimic legitimate business activities.

Chahine has been in custody since Nov. 12, 2024, where the DOJ said he was arrested and detained as a flight risk.

“Drug traffickers often rely on others to launder the profits from their drug running,” said Special Agent in Charge Ronald Loecker, IRS Criminal Investigation Tampa Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to devote our financial expertise to identify, investigate and bring to justice those who engage in sophisticated money laundering techniques that facilitate the distribution of narcotics and the concealment of proceeds.”

Mauricio Chahine has been sentenced to four years and two months in federal prison, as well as being ordered to forfeit $12,000 in proceeds.