US Treasury sanctions Cartel del Noreste’s alleged business network
The US Treasury placed four people and 11 entities on its sanctions list over alleged commercial links to Cartel del Noreste in Mexico. Horse racing, construction and trucking feature in the designations. Property under US jurisdiction is blocked and covered transactions are restricted. Treasury’s allegations about cartel ties and campaign financing remain attributed claims rather than criminal court findings.
Geopolitics··Midday
Four people and 11 entities designated
The US Treasury sanctioned four people and 11 entities on 13 October over alleged links to Cartel del Noreste, a criminal organisation operating in Mexico. The designated businesses include horse racing, construction and trucking.[1], [2]
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Treasury’s sanctions office, issued the designations under narcotics and terrorism-related executive orders. Treasury said it coordinated the action with Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit and US law-enforcement agencies.[1]
Horse-racing and construction businesses targeted
Targets include La Molienda, a horse-racing venue in Nuevo Laredo, on Mexico’s US border in Tamaulipas state, and businessman Gamaliel Garza García. Treasury alleged that entry fees funded cartel operations and linked his construction company CEGESA and materials supplier COPASA to the network. It accused his son Gamaliel Garza Elías of delivering campaign cash. Tamex and dispatcher Francisco Javier Inzunza Partida were also designated; Treasury alleged that two trailers carrying 52 kilograms of cocaine originated at Tamex’s yard.[1]
Ownership threshold extends asset blocking
Property in the United States or held by US persons is blocked and must be reported to OFAC. The measure also covers entities owned at least 50 per cent in aggregate, directly or indirectly, by blocked persons. Transactions involving US persons or passing through the US are generally prohibited unless licensed or exempt. Foreign banks knowingly facilitating significant transactions can face correspondent-account restrictions. Treasury also described a route to request delisting. The alleged criminal connections remain US authorities’ claims.[1]
