How Miami Became A Hotspot For Gold Smuggling

Miami’s convenient location has made it a major thoroughfare for Latin American business giving it economic advantages, but being the “Capital of Latin America” has also created negative outcomes. In the ’80s, Vice City was rocked by crime and drugs as Colombian drug cartels smuggled large imports of cocaine in the city. Now the tropical destination finds itself as a hotspot for a different crime: gold smuggling.

Last March, three ex-employees of NTR Metals Miami were arrested for coordinating the purchase of gold from illegal mines in South America. NTR supplied gold to major companies such as Apple and Tiffany & Co., among others. Gold in American jewelry and smartphones helps to finance the shipments of illegal mining in Latin America even without its knowledge.

Miami’s ideal location and proximity to Latin America has made it a logical destination for this trade. Drug cartel vendors trade precious metal and sell through front companies, changing hands multiple times before being exported and later sold to international refineries that are unable to track its origin. It is estimated that over $1 billion in illegal gold has been exported to Miami in the past decade.

Unlike the trading of drugs, gold smuggling has become a lucrative business because of its value internationally and its easiness to conceal, but it comes at a price. The illegal mining in the rainforests of Latin American countries such as Peru and Ecuador has caused the exploitation of the environment and, worse, has spurred human rights abuses such as human slavery and child prostitution. It is estimated that about 60% of prostitutes living near the mines are children.

Peru, the largest gold producer in Latin America, has been attempting to tackle the black market for gold. The nation has incurred large deforestation with many rivers running orange with pollution from illegal gold mining and high levels of mercury poisoning people (as mercury is used to extract the gold from rock). But the efforts have made little progress.

In the U.S., despite the detriment of the environment and the people of these Latin American countries, money laundering to Miami is not likely to slow anytime soon. We’re only in the beginning of a long war against gold smuggling.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.