The US DOJ has targeted the venues for helping the cartels launder money
The Treasury Department has implemented formal sanctions against two Mexican gambling facilities, alleging their involvement in a complex money laundering and drug smuggling network. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified Casino Centenario, located in Nuevo Laredo near the Texas border, and Diamante Casino in Tampico as key entities assisting the Cartel del Noreste (CDN).
These enforcement actions represent a targeted effort by federal authorities to disrupt the financial infrastructure that allows criminal organizations to integrate illegal profits into the legitimate global economy.
According to federal investigators, Casino Centenario has served as a strategic hub for the CDN, allegedly utilized for the storage of narcotics, specifically fentanyl and cocaine. Beyond physical smuggling operations, the Treasury Department asserts the casino facilitated the laundering of illicit proceeds through its daily gaming activities.
Diamante Casino, which also maintains an online sports wagering presence, was similarly cited for its role in these illicit financial schemes. The sanctions extend to the parent operator, Comercializadora y Arrendadora de Mexico (CAMSA), alongside three individuals identified as having prominent roles in the cartel’s logistical and financial framework.
The legal ramifications of these OFAC designations are significant. The move results in the immediate freezing of all US-based assets belonging to the designated entities and individuals. Furthermore, US citizens and residents are strictly prohibited from engaging in any financial transactions or business dealings with the sanctioned parties.
This crackdown follows a similar precedent set in November, when the Treasury Department targeted members of the Hysa family for allegedly managing laundering operations on behalf of the Sinaloa cartel. By cutting off access to the American financial system, the Treasury aims to hinder the operational capacity of cartels involved in the trafficking of synthetic drugs and the movement of bulk cash.
