Sanctioning Two Sinaloa Cartel Networks for Trafficking Illicit Fentanyl

The United States is sanctioning two networks linked to the Sinaloa Cartel responsible for narcotics trafficking and money laundering operations.

These sanctions target six Mexican individuals and two Mexican companies involved in laundering the proceeds of illicit fentanyl and other narcotics sales via cryptocurrency on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel. The sanctions also target Jesús González Penuelas and five other Mexican individuals in his organization, which is a major distributor of fentanyl to the United States, killing too many American citizens. In 2024, the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs announced a reward offer under the Narcotics Rewards Program of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of González.

Last year, the Trump Administration designated the Sinaloa Cartel as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The Sinaloa Cartel endangers Americans by trafficking illicit fentanyl, designated by President Trump as a Weapon of Mass Destruction. The United States remains committed to protecting the American people from vicious FTOs and SDGTs.

Today’s action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059, which targets the proliferation of illicit drugs and their means of production, and E.O. 13224, which targets terrorist groups and their supporters. This action also implements E.O. 14367, which designated illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as Weapons of Mass Destruction.

For more information about today’s sanctions, please see the Department of the Treasury’s press release.