The U.S. Department of the Treasury, in coordination with the Government of Mexico and in support of President Biden’s Unity Agenda, has imposed sanctions on eight individuals affiliated with La Nueva Familia Michoacana. Among those sanctioned are leaders Rodolfo Maldonado Busto and Josue Ramirez Carrera. La Nueva Familia Michoacana is involved in significant fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine trafficking as well as migrant smuggling into the United States.
"Synthetic drug traffickers pose a significant worldwide threat to health and security, and they exacerbate the overdose epidemic in the United States," said Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson. "Our sanctions authorities help sever criminal entities’ ties to the United States’ financial system, disrupting their networks’ operations."
These actions are part of President Biden’s strengthened whole-of-government approach to safeguard lives and dismantle transnational criminal organizations responsible for distributing fentanyl and other dangerous synthetic drugs. Secretary Blinken launched the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats to accelerate international action against emerging synthetic drug threats. The coalition now includes over 1,500 participants from 156 countries and 15 international organizations.
The Department of the Treasury's designations were made under Executive Order 14059, which targets international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production. Those sanctioned are involved in various aspects of La Nueva Familia Michoacana operations including drug procurement, transportation, and money laundering. This cartel is recognized as one of the most powerful and violent in Mexico and has recently increased its fentanyl trafficking activities.
For more information on today’s actions and a detailed list of the individuals and entities designated, see the Treasury press release.
