OFAC targets cartel-linked casinos on U.S.-Mexico border, updates Lukoil authorizations

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2026 — The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated six targets tied to Cartel del Noreste, including three individuals and three casino-related entities in Tamaulipas, Mexico, and simultaneously issued General License 35 to authorize the wind down of transactions involving the newly blocked entities through 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 14, 2026.

The designated entities are Casino Centenario in Nuevo Laredo, Comercializadora y Arrendadora de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (CAMSA) in Ciudad Madero, and Diamante Casino in Tampico. Treasury said Casino Centenario was used by the cartel as a stash house for fentanyl pills and cocaine and as a vehicle for laundering illicit proceeds through gaming operations. The three designated individuals are Eduardo Javier Islas Valdez, Juan Pablo Penilla Rodriguez and Jesus Reymundo Ramos Vazquez.

Alongside the cartel action, OFAC issued amended Russia-related General License 128C, extending through 12:01 a.m. EDT on Oct. 29, 2026 authorizations for transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the purchase of goods and services from, or the maintenance, operation or wind down of, Lukoil retail service stations outside Russia involving Lukoil International GmbH and certain majority-owned entities. OFAC also said blocked accounts of those entities may be used for authorized transactions, but no funds may be transferred to any person or account in Russia.

OFAC also issued General License 130A, authorizing transactions through Oct. 29, 2026 involving specified Lukoil entities in Bulgaria, including Lukoil Neftohim Burgas JSC and Lukoil Bulgaria EOOD. Both GL 128C and GL 130A replace and supersede earlier versions issued in late 2025.

OFAC amended FAQ 1225 to clarify that GL 128C and GL 131D serve different purposes: GL 128C is aimed at mitigating effects of Lukoil’s designation on retail consumers outside Russia, while GL 131D supports divestment of Lukoil assets outside Russia to non-blocked parties.