U.S. sanctions Sinaloa cartel faction and targets leader with indictment

In an ongoing fight against drug trafficking organizations, the U.S. Treasury Department recently sanctioned members of the Sinaloa Cartel faction known as Los Mayos. This action was part of the Trump administration's efforts to curb the influence and operations of cartels, especially in light of their activities that have plagued both the U.S. and Mexico. The sanctions were announced on September 17, 2025, coinciding with a visit by U.S. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley to Mexico. During this visit, Hurley met with various Mexican authorities and business leaders to discuss strategies aimed at confronting the challenges posed by drug trafficking and cartel operations while emphasizing that the U.S. will protect its financial system from cartel infiltration. The designation of Los Mayos as a sanctioned entity included freezing assets and blocking any transactions related to the group, which is known for its involvement in drug production and trafficking. This faction is particularly notorious for trafficking fentanyl and other drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border, and it has been linked to various criminal activities like kidnapping and money laundering in Baja California. Such measures highlight the urgent need for international cooperation in tackling the ongoing war against drug trafficking. In conjunction with the sanctions, the administration previously unsealed an indictment targeting Juan Jose Ponce Felix, also known as El Ruso, who allegedly leads the Los Rusos gang associated with the Sinaloa Cartel. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) claims that Ponce Felix's gang controls significant drug trafficking routes and engages in various violent practices to assert dominance over these operations. Following these developments, the administration offered a reward of $5 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction. The reward signals a commitment to dismantle the cartel's operations through coordinated law enforcement efforts. As the fight against powerful drug cartels continues, the recent actions taken by U.S. authorities are part of a broader strategy that encompasses both enforcement and diplomatic outreach to Mexico. The outcome of these sanctions and indictments is yet to be determined, but they serve as a clear message of intention from the U.S. government to confront organized crime head-on, ensuring that drug cartels do not thrive and destroy communities through narcotics and violence.