US targets Sinaloa Cartel networks over fentanyl trafficking and crypto laundering

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2026 — The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control on Wednesday sanctioned more than a dozen individuals and entities tied to two networks linked to the Sinaloa Cartel and its fentanyl trafficking operations. The action, taken under Executive Orders 14059 and 13224, as amended, added multiple names to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List and expanded the existing listing for Jesus Gonzalez Penuelas.

One network centers on Armando de Jesus Ojeda Aviles, whom OFAC described as a Sinaloa-based money launderer affiliated with Los Chapitos. Treasury said he coordinated the collection of drug-sale proceeds in the United States and their conversion into cryptocurrency for transfer to the cartel in Mexico, while also overseeing narcotics shipments into the United States. OFAC also designated associate Jesus Alonso Aispuro Felix, described as the network's chief money broker, and Rodrigo Alarcon Palomares, who authorities said facilitated U.S. cash pickups and was indicted in Colorado in 2024 on three counts of laundering drug proceeds through cryptocurrency.

The sanctions also targeted Alfredo Orozco Romero, described as a security adviser and debt collector for Ojeda Aviles, along with two businesses linked to him, Grupo Especial Mamba Negra, S. de R.L. de C.V. and Gorditas Chiwas, and family members Amalia Margarita Romero Moreno and Liliana Orozco Romero, whom OFAC said acted as front persons.

A second set of sanctions focused on the network of Jesus Gonzalez Penuelas, whom Treasury described as a fugitive and longtime trafficker of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl into the United States. Gonzalez Penuelas, previously sanctioned under the Kingpin Act in 2021, now also carries designations under Executive Orders 14059 and 13224, according to the SDN update. OFAC also designated associates Castulo Bojorquez Chaparro, Fredi Ismael Garcia Sandoval, Luis Arnulfo Moreno Zamora, Baltazar Saenz Aguilar and Noe de Jesus Castro Rocha.

Treasury said the action stemmed from a Homeland Security Task Force-led investigation involving the Drug Enforcement Administration and Mexico's financial intelligence unit. As a result, property and interests in property belonging to the designated persons that are in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are blocked, and transactions with them are generally prohibited unless authorized or exempt.

The department also said certain transactions involving persons designated under Executive Order 13224 could expose foreign financial institutions to secondary sanctions risk.