The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned three individuals and two casinos for alleged ties to Mexico's Cartel del Noreste, a designated terrorist organization known for its violent practices in human and drug trafficking.
Among those sanctioned is Eduardo Javier Islas Valdez, identified as the alleged "gatekeeper" of the cartel's human smuggling operations into Texas. Also targeted are attorney Juan Pablo Penilla Rodríguez for providing illicit support, and activist Jesús Reymundo Ramos, accused of spreading cartel disinformation under the guise of human rights advocacy.
Casinos like Casino Centenario in Nuevo Laredo and Diamante Casino in Tampico are accused of serving as hubs for money laundering and drug storage. The sanctions aim to freeze U.S.-based assets and prohibit business dealings with the targeted entities.
Cartel del Noreste operates from Nuevo Laredo, a critical commercial port on the U.S.-Mexico border, and is involved in trafficking fentanyl, crystal meth, heroin, and cocaine, while employing kidnapping and extortion.