Action is the First by the
Treasury Department Against the Meza Flores Organization
WASHINGTON – The
U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today
announced the designation of the Meza Flores Drug Trafficking Organization,
including its leader, Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, several key family members,
and three companies, all of which help facilitate the operations of the organization. Today’s action, pursuant to the Foreign
Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act), is the first designation and
listing of the Meza Flores narcotics operation as a Drug Trafficking
Organization (DTO). This means that anyone providing material support to, or
acting for or on behalf of, the Meza Flores DTO, can be designated by OFAC in
future actions. This designation generally
prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with these eight
individuals, three entities, and the entire DTO, and also freezes any assets
they may have under U.S. jurisdiction.
The Meza Flores DTO operates out of Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico
and since 2000, has been responsible for the distribution of large quantities
of methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, and cocaine to the United States. The Meza Flores DTO is one of the primary
rivals to the Sinaloa Cartel in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. As a result of this rivalry, the Meza Flores DTO
has engaged in an extremely violent turf war with the Sinaloa Cartel which has resulted
in the quadrupling of drug-war killings in the last four years and an increase
in kidnappings and arson within the state of Sinaloa.
“By targeting the leaders of this extremely violent Sinaloa-based
drug trafficking organization we are protecting the U.S. financial system from
yet another source of illicit money tied to the narcotics trade,” said OFAC
Director Adam J. Szubin. “OFAC will
continue to target this organization as well as other Mexican drug trafficking
operations that are threatening the United States.”
OFAC is designating Fausto Isidro Meza Flores (also known as
“Chapito Isidro”), the leader of the Meza Flores DTO for his role in the
narcotics trafficking activities of the organization and for playing a
significant role in international narcotics trafficking. Also being designated today for acting on
behalf of Fausto Isidro Meza Flores and the Meza Flores DTO are Fausto Isidro
Meza
Flores’ wife, Araceli Chan Inzuna; father, Fausto Isidro
Meza Angulo; mother, Angelina Flores Apodaca; sister, Flor Angely Meza Flores;
and uncles, Agustin Flores Apodaca, Salome Flores Apodaca, and Panfilo Flores
Apodaca. In July 2012, Agustin Flores
Apodaca, was arrested in Mexico for distribution of narcotics and he remains in
Mexican custody. Finally, three
companies located in Guasave, Sinaloa, are being designated today that are
owned by and acting on behalf of the Meza Flores DTO; a grain transportation company,
Autotransportes Terrestres S.A. DE C.V.; a gas and service station, Auto
Servicio Jatziry S.A. DE C.V.; and a construction company, Constructora Jatziry
De Guasave S.A. DE C.V.
Today’s action would not have been possible without the
support of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement
Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Joint Field Command Arizona,
and U.S. State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
Internationally, OFAC has designated more than 1,200
businesses and individuals linked to 97 drug kingpins since June 2000. Penalties for violations of the Kingpin Act
range from civil penalties of up to $1.075 million per violation to more severe
criminal penalties. Criminal penalties
for corporate officers 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.
To view a chart of the
Meza Flores Organization click here.
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