U.S. Treasury Imposes Sanctions on Sinaloa Cartel Faction Los Mayos: Disrupting Drug Trafficking and Criminal Activities Along the U.S.-Mexico Border
The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on members of a Sinaloa cartel faction called Los Mayos, which has been involved in a violent struggle for control in Sinaloa's capital. This action coincided with a visit by U.S. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley to Mexico to discuss strategies for combating drug trafficking and cartel activities. The Treasury Department emphasized its commitment to preventing Mexico-based drug cartels from accessing the U.S. financial system.
The Trump administration has been intensifying efforts to combat cartels, pressuring Mexico to take stronger action against criminal organizations. In addition to imposing sanctions on cartel leaders and entities facilitating money transfers for cartels, the administration has targeted a rapper accused of money laundering for these groups. The recent sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department targeted the entire Los Mayos faction, its armed wing leader Juan José Ponce Félix, five individuals, and 15 companies with alleged ties to the group along the U.S.-Mexico border.
According to U.S. Treasury officials, Los Mayos are involved in the production and trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs to the United States, controlling a crucial drug trafficking route along the border. The faction is also implicated in activities such as kidnapping, money laundering, and other criminal acts in the border region. Los Mayos, a faction of the Sinaloa cartel, is loyal to former cartel leader Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, who recently pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in a U.S. federal court.
The ongoing conflict between Los Mayos and another faction of the Sinaloa cartel, Los Chapitos, led by the sons of former cartel kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, has escalated into open warfare in Culiacan. The U.S. Treasury Department's sanctions aim to disrupt the operations of Los Mayos and affiliated entities involved in drug trafficking and other criminal activities along the U.S.-Mexico border. The crackdown on cartels is part of broader efforts to combat organized crime and illicit financing, signaling a continued focus on disrupting cartel operations and networks.