Triads, Snakeheads, and Flying Money: The Underworld of Chinese Criminal Networks in Latin America and the Caribbean

This report, Triads, Snakeheads, and Flying Money, examines the growing presence of Chinese transnational criminal networks in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). These networks—linked to triads, the Fujian mafia, and snakeheads—are involved in fentanyl precursor trafficking, money laundering via the “Flying Money” system, wildlife smuggling, and human trafficking. Operating through diaspora communities and legitimate businesses, they exploit regulatory gaps, engage with local cartels, and destabilize legal and financial systems across borders. While the Chinese government is not directly implicated, local corruption and opaque oversight have enabled these activities to flourish. The report urges U.S., LAC, and Chinese policymakers to improve law enforcement cooperation, strengthen financial due diligence, and confront the convergence of organized crime and shadow economies. For legal, regulatory, and public policy professionals, it offers a strategic lens into how global criminal networks intersect with state interests, international commerce, and cross-border enforcement challenges in the 21st century.