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7/11/2022 Cooperation with Mexico Results in Treasury Sanctions of Arms Trafficker Tied to Major Drug Cartel | U.S. Department … Cooperation with Mexico Results in Treasury Sanctions of Arms Trafficker Tied to Major Drug Cartel July 11, 2022 CJNG member operating along the U.S-Mexico border moves high-caliber firearms and ammunition southbound into Mexico. WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasuryʼs O ice of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated an individual engaged in the tra icking of high-caliber firearms from the United States to one of Mexicoʼs most powerful drug organizations. OFAC designated Obed Christian Sepulveda Portillo pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059 for acting for or on behalf of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), a violent drug tra icking organization based in Mexico responsible for a significant proportion of fentanyl and other deadly drugs tra icked into the United States. Todayʼs action is the result of ongoing e orts by U.S. agencies and the Government of Mexico to disrupt Mexican drug tra icking organizationsʼ procurement of weapons, including those sourced in the United States. This action would not have been possible without the cooperation and support of the Government of Mexico, the Department of Homeland Securityʼs Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). “CJNGʼs power and violence are only possible because of its ability to obtain high-powered weapons, which are used to protect drug tra icking routes, territory, and other illicit assets,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “Treasury is actively targeting those who support and supply drug tra icking and criminal organizations, especially those engaged in the production and distribution of synthetic opioids that claim the lives of tens of thousands of Americans each year.” Obed Christian Sepulveda Portillo (Obed Sepulveda), a Mexican national, was designated for being directed by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, CJNG. Obed Sepulveda coordinates the daily procurement of firearms and bulk ammunition from the U.S. southwest border into Mexico through a network of individuals working directly with CJNG. https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0855 1/3 7/11/2022 Cooperation with Mexico Results in Treasury Sanctions of Arms Trafficker Tied to Major Drug Cartel | U.S. Department … PREVIOUS ACT IONS AGAINST CJNG On April 8, 2015, OFAC designated CJNG and its leader, Oseguera Cervantes, pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act) for playing a significant role in international narcotics tra icking. On December 15, 2021, OFAC also designated CJNG and Oseguera Cervantes pursuant to E.O. 14059. OFAC has also designated a wide range of businesses and individuals that play critical roles in CJNGʼs drug tra icking activities. SANCT IONS IMPLICAT IONS As a result of todayʼs action, all property and interests in property of this designated individual that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. OFACʼs regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or persons within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. As with any provision of goods or services, including firearms, unlicensed transactions or dealings by U.S. persons for the direct or indirect benefit of any designated drug tra icking organization are prohibited. U.S. persons may face civil or criminal penalties for violations of these sanctions. Todayʼs action is part of a whole-of-government e ort to counter the global threat posed by the tra icking of illicit drugs into the United States that is causing the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans annually, as well as countless more non-fatal overdoses. OFAC, in coordination with its U.S. government partners and foreign counterparts, will continue to target and pursue accountability for foreign illicit drug actors. U.S. sanctions need not be permanent; sanctions are intended to bring about a positive change of behavior. Consistent with the findings of Treasuryʼs 2021 Sanctions Review, the removal of sanctions is available for persons designated under counter narcotics authorities who demonstrate a change in behavior and no longer engage in activities linked to international illicit drug tra icking or other sanctionable activity. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from any OFAC list, including the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), please refer to OFACʼs Frequently Asked Question 897. Additional information regarding sanctions programs administered by OFAC can be found here. For more information on the individual designated today, click here. To view a chart on the individual designated today, click here. https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0855 2/3 7/11/2022 Cooperation with Mexico Results in Treasury Sanctions of Arms Trafficker Tied to Major Drug Cartel | U.S. Department … Tips concerning the individual designated today can be submitted to HSI by phone (+1-866347-2423). https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0855 3/3
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