US Treasury Targets Mexican Network Behind Fentanyl Trafficking

The US Department of the Treasury has imposed new sanctions on eight individuals and twelve Mexico-based companies accused of aiding fentanyl trafficking through the “Los Chapitos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. John K. Hurley, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated that the sanctioned network is involved in “the illicit trafficking of chemical precursors used to manufacture fentanyl” for the cartel, which the United States designates as a terrorist organization.

According to the Treasury, the “Los Chapitos” faction is led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s sons, Archivaldo Iván and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán, who oversee extensive territories in Mexico under the Sinaloa Cartel’s control. Two other members of the group are currently detained in the United States.

Among the sanctioned entities is Sumilab, previously targeted in earlier enforcement actions. The sanctions also target members of the Favela López family, including Víctor Andrés, Francisco, Jorge Luis, and María Gabriela Favela López, as well as María Gabriela’s husband, Jairo Verdugo Araujo, and Gilberto Gallardo García, the spouse of another sister.

Other companies connected to the Favela López family were also added to the sanctions list, including Agrolaren, Distribuidora de Productos y Servicios Viand, Favelab, Favela Pro, Qui Lab, Storelab, and Macerlab. César Elías López Araujo was sanctioned as well for his association with the family and his participation in its business network.

Martha Emilia Conde Uraga was also added to the sanctions list due to her reported ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. She is associated with four companies likewise targeted by the Treasury: Comercial Viosma del Noroeste, Prolimph Químicos en General, Proveedora de Servicios de Salud Mental del Pacífico, and Roco del Pacífico Inmobiliaria.