Ep 4. Cartel Bank

Dirty Money is a documentary series produced by Alex Gibney that premiered on Netflix in 2018. The series explores various topics related to corporate greed, corruption, and fraud. Each episode uncovers the dark side of a prominent corporation, individual, or industry. The show is known for its in-depth, investigative take on some of the world's most corrupt practices.

Season 1 episode 4 of Dirty Money is titled "Cartel Bank" and focuses on the connection between banking institutions and drug cartels. The episode delves into the recent scandal surrounding HSBC, one of the largest banking institutions in the world. The bank was accused of laundering billions of dollars for Mexican drug cartels, as well as other criminal organizations.

The episode explores how HSBC willingly turned a blind eye to drug cartels by allowing them to launder money through their bank. The show argues that HSBC and other banks like it are complicit in the drug trade and are responsible for perpetuating the ongoing drug epidemic. The episode features interviews with former HSBC employees and U.S government officials who worked on the case.

One of the key figures in the episode is Everett Stern, a former HSBC employee turned whistleblower. Stern worked for HSBC's anti-money laundering division and witnessed first-hand the bank's involvement in illegal activities. He reported the bank to the authorities, but his claims were initially ignored. Stern went on to file a lawsuit against HSBC, which eventually led to the bank being fined $1.9 billion by the U.S. government.

The episode also explores the broader implications of banking institutions collaborating with drug cartels. It argues that enabling drug cartels to launder money ultimately fuels violence and death, leading to the destruction of entire communities. The show emphasizes the importance of holding banks accountable for their actions and regulating the financial industry to prevent similar scandals from happening again.

Overall, Dirty Money's "Cartel Bank" episode provides a thorough examination of the connection between banking institutions and the drug trade. Through interviews with insiders and government officials, the episode paints a vivid picture of the corruption and greed that led to one of the largest banking scandals of all time. The show is sure to leave viewers questioning their own assumptions about the banking industry and its role in global crime.