Treasury Sanctions Fourth Member of “Los Chapitos” and Expands Fentanyl Supply Network Targeting
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced the imposition of sanctions on Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the fourth member of “Los Chapitos,” along with three Sinaloa Cartel members and two Mexico-based entities. The action, made under Executive Order 14059, aims to disrupt a Sinaloa Cartel network overseen by Los Chapitos, which is responsible for a significant portion of the illicit fentanyl and other deadly drugs trafficked into the United States.
Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson emphasized that the designation targets key players in the global illicit fentanyl enterprise, including producers, suppliers, and transporters. Nelson stated that the Treasury, in close cooperation with the Government of Mexico and U.S. law enforcement, will utilize their authorities to isolate and disrupt Los Chapitos and the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations.
The Sinaloa Cartel, established in the 1980s, rose to become one of Mexico’s largest drug trafficking organizations, led by Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia and Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera. With control over key regions along the Pacific Coast, the cartel traffics substantial amounts of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine into the United States.
Following the arrest and conviction of Guzman Loera, his four sons, collectively known as Los Chapitos, took on leadership roles within the cartel. Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez (sanctioned today) hold significant influence within the organization.
All four members of Los Chapitos face U.S. federal drug trafficking charges across multiple jurisdictions. Recent indictments and charges have highlighted the collaborative efforts of various U.S. District Courts. OFAC previously designated the Guzman Salazar brothers and Ovidio Guzman Lopez in 2012 and 2021, respectively.
The sanctions target Joaquin Guzman Lopez, responsible for overseeing aspects of the Los Chapitos drug trafficking empire, as well as individuals involved in supplying precursor chemicals and coordinating drug shipments. A Sinaloa-based real estate business and a chemical and lab equipment company were also designated for their roles in supporting the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations.
The OFAC’s action reflects the U.S. government’s commitment to combat the global threat posed by the trafficking of illicit drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States. By disrupting these networks, the administration aims to save lives and hold accountable those involved in the proliferation of dangerous drugs.