The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on eight individuals affiliated with La Nueva Familia Michoacana, including leaders Rodolfo Maldonado Busto and Josue Ramirez Carrera. This action is in close coordination with the Government of Mexico and supports President Biden’s Unity Agenda. 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," stated a Treasury spokesperson. "Our sanctions authorities help sever criminal entities’ ties to the United States’ financial system, disrupting their networks’ operations."
These measures are part of President Biden’s strengthened whole-of-government approach to safeguard lives and dismantle transnational criminal organizations responsible for the illicit distribution of fentanyl and other dangerous synthetic drugs. To accelerate and strengthen international action against emerging synthetic drug threats, Secretary Blinken launched the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats. The coalition now includes over 1,500 participants from 156 countries and 15 international organizations.
Today’s designations by the Department of the Treasury were taken pursuant to 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. The cartel is one of the most powerful and violent in Mexico and has recently increased its fentanyl trafficking activities.
More information is available on President Biden’s Unity Agenda. For details on today’s actions and a comprehensive list of designated individuals and entities, refer to the Treasury press release.
