Drugs for Gucci and Money for Free

It’s the crime that allows every other crime to exist, says Oliver Bullough in an excellent new book. So why are we so bad at tackling — and talking about — money laundering?

Words by: Joseph Bullmore
Illustrations: Freya Anderson

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

Members - 20 September 2026

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Members - 20 September 2026

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

Drugs for Gucci and Money for Free

It’s the crime that allows every other crime to exist, says Oliver Bullough in an excellent new book. So why are we so bad at tackling — and talking about — money laundering?

Words by: Joseph Bullmore
Illustrations: Freya Anderson

Last August, at the wedding of a friend, I sat down next to a chap who had recently been handed one million pounds in a duffel bag. At the races earlier that summer, a very wealthy associate of the chap’s had asked him to place a gargantuan bet on a rank outsider, just for the hell of it — and the horse had won. Returning to the white-faced tote moments later, my new pal learned that the bookie couldn’t possibly pay him right away (and indeed that the loss might clear him out for the entire season), but that there might just be a way through — if only he could remunerate him solely in cash later that week. And so, sitting in the lobby of a Mayfair hotel the following Wednesday, the chap was presented with a groaning North Face full of bank notes by a man who refused to take his sunglasses off — and soon learned the obvious origin of the cash. “County lines,” Mr Rayban said. “Money laundering”.

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

Members - 20 September 2026

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Members - 20 September 2026

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

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Issue NO. 51 Winter Issue 26

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Discover the perks of being a member

	Clubhouse Membership
Two Magazines per yearDelivered to your door
Full Access to Paywall contentAccess to all member-only online features
Membership Cardto redeem all the perks.
Members Invites to Exclusive Eventsto private Clubhouse events
Weekly newsletter Straight to your inbox
	1 year ~~£59.99~~ £39.99 Equivalent to £3.33/month

For more information please email subscriptions@thegentlemansjournal.com

Current Issue

Issue NO. 51 Winter Issue 26

Drugs for Gucci and Money for Free

Further reading

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

Drugs for Gucci and Money for Free

Further reading

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

Drugs for Gucci and Money for Free

Further reading

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

Become a Subscriber

Become a Subscriber