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3/19/2020 Treasury Targets Colombian Cocaine Trafficking Network | U.S. Department of the Treasury Treasury Targets Colombian Cocaine Trafficking Network November 29, 2017 Kingpin Act Designation Targets Ruano Yandun Drug Tra icking Organization Washington – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s O ice of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Colombian national Tito Aldemar Ruano Yandun (Ruano Yandun) and the Ruano Yandun Drug Tra icking Organization as Specially Designated Narcotics Tra ickers (SDNTs) pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act) for playing a significant role in international narcotics tra icking. OFAC also designated Colombian national Onofre Junior Aguiño Arboleda for acting for or on behalf of Ruano Yandun. As a result of today’s action, all assets of those designated that are under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. “Treasury is targeting drug kingpin Ruano Yandun and his criminal organization, as they continue to smuggle and distribute tons of cocaine from Colombia through Central America and into our communities,” said OFAC Director John E. Smith. “We are freezing assets and cutting them o from the financial system to send a strong message to Ruano Yandun and other criminals who export poison and violence across our borders that we intend to target and dismantle these illicit networks.” Ruano Yandun is the leader of an international drug tra icking organization responsible for the production, transportation, and tra icking of multi-ton quantities of cocaine from Colombia and Ecuador through Central America and Mexico using speedboats, fishing vessels, and selfpropelled semi-submersible vessels, ultimately bound for the United States. The Ruano Yandun organization is a key contributor to the increased cocaine production in the Nariño department of Colombia in recent years. Onofre Junior Aguiño Arboleda, a.k.a. “Dios y Ciego”, was designated for his role supporting and coordinating maritime drug tra icking activities in Colombia and Ecuador for Ruano Yandun. https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm0224 1/2 3/19/2020 Treasury Targets Colombian Cocaine Trafficking Network | U.S. Department of the Treasury On January 20, 2017, a grand jury in the Eastern District of New York indicted Ruano Yandun and Aguiño Arboleda on U.S. federal charges of international cocaine distribution conspiracy. Today’s OFAC designation was conducted in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration. “DEA Miami is very pleased with the designation of Tito Aldemar Ruano Yandun, his Drug Tra icking Organization, and Onofre Junior Aguiño Arboleda as Specially Designated Narcotics Tra ickers, as well as the freezing of their assets. Actions like this allow us to further disable and dismantle their organizations which seek to flood our country with illicit drugs," said DEA Miami Special Agent in Charge Adolphus P. Wright. “Together with the Department of Treasury and our other law enforcement partners, we remain dedicated and committed to targeting, investigating, and prosecuting all those who commit drug tra icking crimes against the United States.” Since June 2000, more than 2,000 entities and individuals have been named pursuant to the Kingpin Act for their role in international narcotics tra icking. Penalties for violations of the Kingpin Act range from civil penalties of up to $1,437,153 per violation to more severe criminal penalties. Criminal penalties for corporate o icers may include up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $5 million. Criminal fines for corporations may reach $10 million. Other individuals could face up to 10 years in prison and fines pursuant to Title 18 of the United States Code for criminal violations of the Kingpin Act. Information on the individuals and entity designated today. The Kingpin Act chart from today’s action . #### https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm0224 2/2
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