Masterclass

Masterclass: Identifying High-Risk Importers of Synthetic Drug Precursors

Mexican TCOs rely on networks of chemical brokers and Chinese and Indian chemical companies for precursor procurement. Many chemicals have dual-use applications. Investigators must distinguish legitimate shipments from high-risk diversion using data-centric approaches and trade pattern analysis.

40 min

Mexican transnational criminal organizations continue to produce and distribute synthetic drugs in the United States. They rely on networks of chemical brokers and Chinese and Indian chemical companies to procure precursors and essential chemicals. Because many of these chemicals have legitimate applications in agriculture, food processing, and pharmaceuticals, investigators are challenged to distinguish legitimate shipments from those at high risk of diversion for illicit drug production.

What You Will Learn

  • Federal Case Analysis

    Overview of recent federal cases illuminating how Mexican TCOs leverage chemical broker networks to procure precursors and essential chemicals for drug manufacturing

  • Typologies and Red Flags

    Import typologies and red flags indicating potential chemical diversion to Mexican drug trafficking organizations

  • Trade Anomaly Detection

    Data-centric approaches at scale to identify high-risk chemical importers and procurement patterns

Who Should Watch

This masterclass is built for law enforcement and financial crime professionals:

  • Government Analysts and Investigators

    Federal agents disrupting and dismantling cartel-linked chemical procurement networks and supply chains

  • Financial Institutions

    Compliance professionals managing AML/BSA obligations and sanctions risk mitigation related to foreign terrorist organization designations

  • Corporate Enterprises

    Risk and compliance teams addressing BSA/AML obligations and regulatory exposure from financial support of foreign terrorist organizations

Detect illicit trade patterns with Sayari

Identify high-risk chemical imports and procurement networks. Use corporate and trade intelligence to disrupt cartel-linked operations and prevent precursor diversion.

Request a Demo →

Bjorn Kjelstad

Senior Analyst | Sayari

Bjorn Kjelstad is a Senior Analyst at Sayari with deep expertise in identifying illicit trade patterns and commercial networks that support transnational criminal activity. His analytical work focuses on disrupting cartel-linked supply chains, precursor procurement networks, and high-risk financial flows connected to drug trafficking and other transnational criminal enterprises.

Disrupt Cartel-Linked Chemical Procurement

Identify high-risk chemical imports and procurement networks. Use corporate and trade intelligence to disrupt cartel-linked operations and prevent precursor diversion at scale.