The United States Mint is facing scrutiny after an investigation found that gold connected to illegal mining operations in Colombia, including mines controlled or taxed by drug cartels and armed groups, allegedly entered the supply chain for coins sold to American investors as "American" gold.
According to The New York Times, illegally mined Colombian gold was laundered through intermediaries, exported with paperwork that appeared legitimate, and eventually moved into formal global supply chains. In some cases, the report said, gold reached the U.S. Mint, even though federal law requires gold used for American Eagle gold coins to come from newly mined deposits in the United States or U.S. territories.
