The U.S. has sanctioned eight targets based in Mexico that are affiliated with La Nueva Familia Michoacana, which is one of the most violent cartels in the country.
“The opioid crisis, and especially the rise of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, has devastated communities and claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans,” noted Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen.
La Nueva Familia Michoacana trafficked mainly methamphetamine, but in recent years they have expanded into trafficking fentanyl. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic piperidine opioid that is 20 to 40 times stronger than heroin.
OFAC has decided to impose sanctions on the leaders of La Nueva Familia Michoacana: Rodolfo Maldonado Bustos, Josue Ramirez Carrera, Josue Lopez Hernandez, David Duran Alvarez, Uriel Tabares Martinez, Kevin Arzate Gomez , Euclides Camacho Goicochea and Lucio Ochoa Lagunes.
Rodolfo Maldonado Bustos controls the drug routes that pass from Ciudad Altamirano, Guerrero, Mexico to the Zihuatanejo-Lazaro Cardenas, Guerrero, Mexico area.
Josue Ramirez Carrera is a financial leader of La Nueva Familia Michoacana.
Josue Lopez Hernandez is a key lieutenant for La Nueva Familia Michoacana
David Duran Alvarez is known to send various drugs to Houston, Texas.
Uriel Tabares Martinez is a assassin, that works directly for Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga and Jose Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga.
Kevin Arzate Gomez negotiates on behalf of the cartel to have drugs enter the United States.
Euclides Camacho Goicochea moves a significant amount of drugs, particularly methamphetamine, to Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, among other area
