On July 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned two members of Mexico-based transnational criminal organization Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (“CJNG”) and two Mexican companies associated with the cartel. According to OFAC, the CJNG is one of the largest producers and traffickers of illicit fentanyl to the United States. OFAC designated CJNG cell leaders Juan Carlos Banuelos Ramirez (“Banuelos”) and Gerardo Rivera Ibarra (“Rivera”) for their involvement in the production and/or supply of illegal drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, to the U.S. The two designated companies were sanctioned for being owned or controlled by Banuelos and Rivera. OFAC reports that the designations were the result of a coordinated effort between OFAC and the Government of Mexico.
The designations were imposed pursuant to Executive Order 14059 for engaging in activities that materially contribute to the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production. As a result of the designations, all property and interests in property of the designated persons within the United States or within the possession or control of a U.S. person are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving a designated person. Entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.