Money laundering takes place on an enormous scale in the North Caucasus and authorities have failed to stop the flow of funds to criminal elements and terrorists in the region, Kremlin envoy Alexander Khloponin said Friday.
"Today, unfortunately, I can certify that the North Caucasus Federal District is a leader in money laundering," Khloponin said at a police meeting Friday, Interfax reported.
Khloponin said the financing of terrorism must be cut off to eliminate it in the region.
The presidential envoy also said officials have not been able to "sever the merging of criminality and the authorities", Interfax reported.