In brief
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UK gangs are using gold coins, bars, and grain to hide drug profits, citing its portability, value, and lack of traceability.
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Experts note gold’s appeal amid a cashless shift, but warn that hard data on rising criminal use is scarce or anecdotal at best.
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While crypto is traceable, gold’s opacity makes it harder to track—though it’s bulkier and riskier to move in large amounts.
Organised criminals in the UK are increasingly using gold to launder and hide the proceeds of their activities, according to a report from The Daily Mail.
As the price of gold remains close to record highs at nearly $3,400, the report cites anecdotal evidence of increased gold use among British criminals.
It refers to one case of an Essex drug…
Jun 19 2025
