American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 13 Episode 5 Black Market Dirty Gold

In season 13, episode 5 of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals, the focus is on the illegal trade of dirty gold in Latin America. The episode covers the story of NTR Metals, a major US gold refinery that was importing tons of gold from illegal mines in Peru, smuggling it into the US, then selling it to major precious metal companies who were unaware of its tainted origins.

The episode begins by introducing Jorge Poveda, a Peruvian miner who was part of the illegal gold mining trade in the Amazon. Poveda describes how the miners use dangerous chemicals like mercury to extract the gold, polluting the environment and putting their own health at risk. He mentions that the illegal gold mining industry is controlled by organized crime, who use violence to eliminate any opposition.

The story moves on to focus on NTR Metals, a subsidiary of Elemetal, a major US company that specializes in precious metals refining and manufacturing. NTR Metals operated in several Latin American countries, including Peru and Colombia, where it was buying gold from illegal mines that used child labor and produced toxic waste.

The episode features interviews with former NTR employees, who describe the company's business practices as shady and unethical. They reveal that the company was intentionally buying dirty gold and then laundering it through fake paperwork to make it appear legitimate. They also describe how NTR was involved in money laundering and bribery to avoid being caught by authorities.

The episode then introduces the case of Harold Vilches, a Peruvian miner who was working for NTR Metals and witnessed first-hand the company's illegal activities. Vilches became an informant for the US Department of Justice and helped to bring down NTR Metals' operation in Peru. He details how he was threatened and intimidated by NTR executives when he tried to blow the whistle on their illegal activities.

The episode also features interviews with environmentalists and human rights activists who are working to combat the illegal gold trade in Latin America. They describe the devastating impact of illegal gold mining on the environment and on the people who live near the mines. They also criticize the lack of regulation and enforcement in the industry, which allows companies like NTR Metals to operate with impunity.

Overall, the episode provides a compelling and detailed look at the illegal trade of dirty gold in Latin America, and the companies and individuals who profit from it. It highlights the human and environmental costs of this lucrative but dangerous industry, and underscores the importance of regulating and monitoring the global trade in precious metals.