The Noriega case illustrates the difficulty of identifying and seizing illicit income.

"If you had illicit income, why would you be stupid enough to document it?"

But to the profit-takers, be they Muslim, Croatian or Serbian, the peaceful melding of three fractious states could endanger their illicit income, diplomats say.

Growth of illicit incomes, now uncontrolled, profiteering that has become practically legal, intensive flow of skilled workers from state-run enterprises cause intense displeasure in the population.

Police were forced to take official notice of the various combatants, payoffs notwithstanding, and illicit income suffered all around.

Further, it eliminated upward of $100 million of illicit income in Colombia.

Yet it is not free of poverty and therefore farmers remain vulnerable to the temptations of illicit incomes.

Some of the illicit income is being laundered in property, including shopping complexes, restaurants and luxurious houses.

The authorities said he gambled away the bulk of his illicit income.

"Two sets of books is a tried and true and very traditional method of hiding illicit income."