U.S. Freezes Assets Of Nearly 50 People And Businesses Linked To Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel
The U.S. government announced sanctions on Tuesday targeting nearly 50 individuals and commercial entities accused of running leadership, money laundering, and political bribery networks for the Sinaloa Cartel along the U.S.–Mexico border.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 21 people and 25 businesses across Baja California, focusing on key border trafficking routes in Tijuana and Mexicali. The action locks any assets the named individuals and firms hold in the United States and prohibits American citizens and businesses from dealing with them.
Among those sanctioned is Ismael Zambada Sicairos, known as “Mayito Flaco.” U.S. officials identify him as the current head of the “Los Mayos” faction following the July 2024 arrest of his father, longtime cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia. Born in California in 1982, Zambada Sicairos was indicted in San Diego in 2014 on federal drug trafficking and money laundering charges and remains a fugitive in Mexico.
“Today’s action underscores that no cartel kingpin, corrupt Mexican government official, or financial facilitator is beyond the reach of Treasury’s authorities,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. “Our message is clear: the Trump Administration will identify and disrupt any cartel actor who threatens our security or the integrity of our financial system.”
US Treasury
According to federal investigators, the sanctions target the infrastructure that keeps drugs flowing across the border into Southern California. The measures hit key advisors, security chiefs, and Tijuana plaza bosses Alfonso Arzate Garcia (“Aquiles”) and Rene Arzate Garcia (“La Rana”). They also target local money exchange houses—including Galerias Centro Cambiario, known as Magic Casa de Cambio—accused of moving bulk cash drug proceeds back and forth across the border.
The designations also reach into local political circles in Mexicali, the state capital of Baja California. Treasury officials sanctioned Carlos Alberto Torres Torres, the ex-husband of the governor of Baja California, alongside his brother Luis Alfonso Torres Torres. Investigators allege Carlos Torres used political connections to shield cartel operations run by Juan Jose Ponce Felix, leader of the “Los Rusos” sub-faction.
US Treasury
The sanctions also named Pedro Ariel Mendivil Garcia, the former director of public security in Mexicali, accusing him of taking bribes to hand over control of municipal police forces to cartel operatives. Several commercial entities tied to the officials—including gas stations, advertising agencies, restaurants, and real estate developers—were placed on the sanctions list.
The operation was conducted through the Homeland Security Task Force with support from the DEA, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, IRS Criminal Investigation, the State Department, and the Department of War. Treasury officials noted that since the start of 2025, federal authorities have carried out more than 30 enforcement actions targeting over 400 individuals and entities connected to Mexican cartels.