Updated Thursday, April 7, 2011 11:28 am TWN, AFP

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/americas/2011/04/07/297711/Mexico-offers.htm

MEXICO CITY -- In a novel twist in Mexico's brutal drug wars, officials are offering up to 25 percent of the value of seized illicit goods as a reward for tip-offs on cartels and money laundering. Any person who supplies information that allows police to stop illegal drug-trafficking and trading could receive “up to 25 percent of the value” of the sums and goods seized, the interior ministry said late Monday.

Federal prosecutors estimate that about US$10 billion is laundered by drug-traffickers every year as they battle for control of the lucrative market supplying drugs, especially cocaine, to the United States.

Last year in a bid to squeeze the traffickers, President Felipe Calderon unveiled measures such as banning the use of cash sales for cars, boats or jewelry worth more than 100,000 pesos (US$8,500). He also limited the amount of bank transactions that can be carried out in dollars.