The Trump administration is cracking down on the Sinaloa Cartel, a foreign terrorist organization, by imposing new sanctions on its money launderers and financial networks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Monday that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is targeting six individuals and seven entities involved in laundering drug money for the cartel.
Bessent emphasized that money laundering is the “lifeblood” of the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations, which fuel violent drug trafficking and human smuggling. The sanctions are part of a broader government effort to disrupt cartel finances and dismantle criminal networks.
Among those designated are Enrique Dann Esparragoza Rosas, who oversees money laundering operations in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. His organization has reportedly laundered at least $16.5 million for the Sinaloa Cartel. Mexico-based Alan Viramontes Sesteaga, a high-ranking cartel figure, is also being sanctioned for setting up businesses to facilitate money laundering.
Two cartel enforcers, Salvador Diaz Rodriguez and Israel Daniel Paez Vargas, have been named for their roles in collecting “taxes” from local criminal groups and using violence against non-compliant targets. Both were recently indicted by a U.S. District Court for money laundering and drug trafficking-related offenses.
The Treasury Department also sanctioned Mexico City-based Alberto David Benguiat Jimenez, who operates a major money laundering network tied to fentanyl trafficking. His network has funneled over $50 million in drug proceeds and works closely with Chinese suppliers of precursor chemicals used to manufacture synthetic drugs. Several front companies and shell corporations linked to Benguiat’s network are now subject to sanctions.
Under these new measures, all assets belonging to the sanctioned individuals and entities in the United States will be blocked, and U.S. citizens and businesses are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. The Trump administration’s actions signal a heightened effort to combat the financial operations that sustain transnational criminal organizations.
