The US Treasury Division’s Workplace of Overseas Property Management (OFAC) has enforced sanctions towards people and entities linked to a Mexican cartel that’s trafficking illicit medication and laundering the proceeds by way of cryptocurrency networks.
In keeping with a press launch from the Treasury, these people and entities lead networks that launder the proceeds of fentanyl and different narcotics trafficking actions for the Sinaloa Cartel. The laundering schemes funnel the earnings again to Mexico by way of blockchain networks.
Treasury Sanctions Illicit Drug Traffickers
A multi-year investigation by U.S. authorities has discovered that Jesus Gonzalez Penuelas heads the illicit medication trafficking community within the U.S., whereas Armando de Jesus Ojeda Aviles leads the revenue laundering schemes on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel. This cartel, chargeable for a number of violent deaths in Mexico and drug-induced deaths in America, has been deemed a Overseas Terrorist Group (FTO) by the U.S.
The sons of the imprisoned drug trafficker Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera run the Sinaloa Cartel, with the assistance of the just-sanctioned people. Whereas steering the wheels of the drug trafficking from Mexico, Aviles depends upon associates like Penuelas and Rodrigo Alarcon Palomares to select up money and dealer transfers by way of crypto addresses. The medication which are offered embody cocaine and methamphetamine.
A U.S. District Courtroom in Colorado indicted Palomares in April 2024 for laundering drug proceeds. He was discovered responsible on three counts of laundering drug proceeds by way of cryptocurrency. Throughout his arrest in October 2023, Mexican authorities discovered weapons and ammunition in his possession. Regardless of Palomares’ arrest, the Sinaloa Cartel’s trafficking actions have waxed stronger.
Defending American Communities
Aviles’ community contains Mexico-based drug suppliers, cash brokers, and coordinators of big wire transfers throughout the U.S. He’s additionally affiliated with Los Chapitos, a hyper-violent faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, having taken over as the first launderer of the group following the homicide of his predecessor, Mario Alberto Jimenez Castro.
Moreover Aviles and Penuelas, the Treasury additionally introduced sanctions towards Jesus Alonso Aispuro Felix, businessman Alfredo Orozco Romero, Amalia Margarita Romero Moreno, and Liliana Orozco Romero, amongst others. Most of those associates function cash brokers, safety advisors, and trusted entrance individuals.
The sanctions mirror efforts to guard American communities and residents. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated: “As President Trump has made clear, this Administration is not going to enable narco-terrorists to flood our borders with poison.”
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