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Mexico and U.S. Freeze 19 Targets in Joint Strike on Transnational Crime Network

Officials say the coordinated move tightens bilateral financial enforcement to disrupt laundering channels that conceal drug proceeds.

Overview

  • Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit worked with OFAC and FinCEN to designate 19 targets tied to drug trafficking and money laundering, comprising 10 people and nine companies.
  • UIF identified 10 additional individuals with financial activity in Mexico who will be added to the blocked list and referred to federal prosecutors for alleged illicit‑proceeds offenses, with notices to the fiscal authority.
  • Authorities describe a scheme using shell companies, nominee real estate purchases, digital asset handling, and international fund dispersion to reduce traceability.
  • Reports say the network operates across Canada, the United States, Colombia, Italy, and the United Kingdom, with documented activity in Mexico.
  • U.S. officials have linked the network to the Sinaloa Cartel and fugitive Ryan James Wedding, who is the subject of a U.S. reward offer, while some outlets report a higher consolidated count of 29 targets that has not been formally clarified.