My point being, this went on for a long time before they got "busted" and the bank people knew who they were dealing with.

They didn't have to use crypto or tor or whatever to stay anonymous. They just used cash, everyone knew each other. They probably had dinners with coke and champagne. And when they did get "busted", somehow no one goes to prison, there's a small fine (relatively speaking), and everyone walks.

My guess is they're all still in business doing the same thing. The bankers, the regulators, the cartel people...