Florida Man Washed $10 Million in Drug Money Through Nevada, Mississippi Casinos

Posted on: June 30, 2025, 02:56h. 

Last updated on: June 30, 2025, 03:04h.

Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilc Read More
Expertise: Gaming Business, Regulation, Tribal Gaming.
  • Cocaine network spanned multiple years and multiple states
  • Casinos used to launder millions in drug proceeds
  • Guilty plea includes asset forfeiture, possible life sentence

 A Pensacola, Fla. man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking and money laundering charges in connection with a large-scale cocaine distribution operation that spanned multiple years and states.

Rayvaughn Andrews, Pensacola drug trafficking, money laundering casinos, cocaine distribution Florida, structuring financial crimes
Rayvaughn Andrews, above, pleaded guilty last week to washing $10 million profit from his cocaine trafficking network through casinos. (Image: US Attorney for the Northern District of Florida)

Rayvaughn Andrews, 41, admitted to conspiring to distribute cocaine and laundering approximately $10 million in drug proceeds through casinos in Mississippi and Nevada.

According to court documents, Andrews’ operation ran from 2021 through 2024 and involved funneling large amounts of cocaine in Escambia County, Fla., and surrounding areas.

The federal complaint doesn’t describe the laundering process in detail, or mention the casinos involved other than “Harrah’s Casino.” Neither is it clear from the filings whether this refers to Harrah’s Las Vegas or Harrah’s Gulf Coast Biloxi.

Pappa Smurf

Andrews bought casino chips with cash at Harrah’s on 94 occasions in 2023 alone, according to court documents. But only twice did those transactions exceed $10K, the threshold that requires casinos to file a report to the financial crime watchdog under federal law.

Under the Bank Secrecy Act, casinos, like banks, must file a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) whenever an individual engages in cash transactions totaling more than $10K in a single day.

Casino laundering schemes often involve purchasing chips with cash from illegal activity, placing minimal bets to avoid suspicion, then cashing out and receiving checks or transfers that appear legitimate.

Structuring, also known as “smurfing,” is a money laundering tactic where an individual deliberately makes financial transactions in amounts below legal reporting thresholds to avoid scrutiny. Although harder to detect, structuring is a federal crime in itself.

Life Sentence Possible

“This guilty plea highlights the commitment of our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle significant drug trafficking and money laundering organizations,” said US Attorney John Heekin. “Those who think they can profit and live lavish lifestyles off drug trafficking in the Northern District of Florida are sorely mistaken and will soon find themselves in federal prison.”

As part of the plea, Andrews also agreed to forfeit assets linked to his operation, including $40K in cash and a Chevrolet Corvette.

The charges against Andrews include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.