Treasury sanctions nearly 50 Sinaloa Cartel leaders and associates

Scott Bessent: Scott Bessent serves as the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and oversees the department's sanctions programs through OFAC. He highlighted the action's significance in reaching cartel kingpins and corrupt officials regardless of their location. In this news, he issued a statement emphasizing the Trump Administration's commitment to disrupting threats to U.S. security and the financial system. Sinaloa Cartel: The Sinaloa Cartel is a major transnational criminal organization based in Mexico involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and related violence. It operates through factions such as Los Mayos and Los Chapitos, controlling key smuggling routes into the United States. This news details OFAC designations targeting its leaders, plaza bosses, money launderers, and corrupt associates in Baja California to weaken its network. Ismael Zambada Sicairos: Ismael Zambada Sicairos, also known as Mayito Flaco, is a dual Mexican-U.S. national and the current leader of the Los Mayos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. He assumed control following the 2024 arrest of his father and directs criminal activities including drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption across border regions. OFAC sanctioned him in this action pursuant to executive orders targeting illicit drugs and terrorism support for his role in cartel leadership. U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control: The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury responsible for administering and enforcing economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. It identifies and targets individuals, entities, and networks involved in illicit activities such as drug trafficking and terrorism financing. In this news, OFAC designated nearly 50 targets, including Sinaloa Cartel leaders and facilitators, as part of a coordinated effort to disrupt cartel operations near the U.S.-Mexico border. Executive Authority: The sanctions were issued under Executive Order 14059 targeting the proliferation of illicit drugs and Executive Order 13224 as amended targeting terrorists and their supporters. Sanctions Coordination: OFAC conducted the designations in parallel with the Homeland Security Task Force and with support from agencies including the DEA, FBI, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of a whole-of-government effort against cartels.