The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned five Mexican nationals and two Mexico-based entities linked to La Linea, a drug trafficking organization responsible for smuggling fentanyl into the United States. This action was taken in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Government of Mexico, including Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit.
"President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to using every tool at our disposal to target and disrupt the cartels peddling deadly fentanyl on our streets," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. "The United States, in close coordination with our Mexican partners, remains committed to doing everything we can to hold these groups to account."
Treasury is actively countering fentanyl trafficking as part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda by targeting financial crimes that support criminal organizations. Over two years, more than 350 individuals involved in drug trafficking have been sanctioned. Last year saw the launch of the Counter-Fentanyl Strike Force under Secretary Yellen's guidance.
La Linea began as an armed wing of the Juarez Cartel and operates primarily in Ciudad Juarez, taxing other traffickers and generating revenue through synthetic drugs and illegal activities. The group has also been linked with CJNG since September 2023 for drug supplies.
OFAC designated several leaders within La Linea: Josefa Yadira Carrasco Leyva, Jorge Adrian Ortega Gallegos, Heber Nieto Fierro, Jesus Salas Aguayo, and Adrian Aguayo for their involvement in illicit activities contributing to international drug proliferation. Two companies owned by Nieto Fierro were also sanctioned.
As a result of these sanctions, all properties owned by these individuals or entities within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked. Transactions involving these assets are prohibited unless authorized by OFAC. Violations may lead to civil or criminal penalties for U.S persons; non-U.S persons are similarly restricted from causing violations.
OFAC emphasizes that sanctions aim not only at punishment but at encouraging positive change in behavior.
