The U.S. Department of the Treasury has launched a targeted strike against the financial infrastructure of the Cartel del Noreste (CDN), announcing latest Treasury sanctions on cartel-linked casinos and key associates operating along the U.S.-Mexico border. The action, executed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), targets six entities and individuals involved in a sophisticated money laundering and cash smuggling network centered around the Laredo, Texas, port of entry.
The sanctions specifically target the “Nuevo Laredo plaza” in Tamaulipas, Mexico, a critical corridor for the cartel’s illicit trade. According to the Treasury, the CDN—which is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)—uses this region to facilitate the trafficking of fentanyl, human smuggling, and extortion, while leveraging legitimate businesses to hide the proceeds of these crimes.
“As President Trump has made clear, Treasury will apply all tools to protect our nation from violent cartels looking to reign terror on innocent Americans,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement. Bessent emphasized that the department will continue to disrupt the diverse revenue streams that sustain these organizations, specifically those involving the movement of fentanyl and illegal aliens into the United States.
The operation is the result of a coordinated investigation led by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), with significant contributions from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Laredo District Office and San Antonio Division Office. This marks the third major action against CDN leadership and affiliates during the current administration, following previous designations in May and August 2025.
Gaming as a Front: The Role of Border Casinos
Central to the Treasury’s latest action is the dismantling of gaming ventures used as covers for criminal activity. OFAC has designated Casino Centenario, located in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. The facility is operated by Comercializadora y Arrendadora de Mexico, S.A. De C.V. (CAMSA), which has also been sanctioned.
Treasury officials describe Casino Centenario not merely as a gambling hall, but as a “stash house” for cocaine and fentanyl pills. The facility is allegedly used to integrate illicit cash into the legitimate financial system through its gaming operations. More disturbingly, the Treasury reports that the cartel utilizes the casino’s backrooms to torture and intimidate enemies of the organization.
The sanctions also extend to Diamante Casino, which operates a physical location in Tampico, Tamaulipas, as well as an online gambling platform at diamantecasino.com.mx. Because Diamante Casino is owned or controlled by CAMSA, it has been blocked under Executive Orders 14059 and 13224.
The Gatekeepers: Human Smuggling and Disinformation
Beyond the corporate fronts, the U.S. Is targeting the individuals who manage the logistics of the border. Eduardo Javier Islas Valdez, known as “Crosty,” has been designated for his role as the primary coordinator of human smuggling in Nuevo Laredo. Islas acts as a gatekeeper for pateros (human smugglers) moving migrants across the Rio Grande into Texas and manages cash stash houses that sustain the cartel’s daily operations.
Treasury officials also highlighted the role of “enablers”—professionals who use their status to shield criminal activity. Among them is Juan Pablo Penilla Rodriguez, a defense attorney. According to the Treasury, Penilla’s relationship with CDN members exceeds the legal boundaries of attorney-client privilege. He is accused of acting as a vital intermediary between the current CDN leadership and Miguel Angel “Z-40” Trevino Morales, who remains in U.S. Custody but continues to exert influence over the cartel through Penilla.
Another key target is Jesus Reymundo Ramos Vazquez (Raymundo Ramos). Ramos is accused of running a sophisticated disinformation campaign while posing as a human rights activist. The Treasury alleges that Ramos is on the CDN payroll, using his platform to file false complaints against the Mexican military and protect the reputations of arrested cartel members to boost public opinion of the organization.
CDN Designation Timeline
| Date | Action/Designation | Legal Authority |
|---|---|---|
| April 15, 2009 | Designated as Foreign Narcotics Trafficker | Kingpin Act |
| July 24, 2011 | Named Transnational Criminal Organization | E.O. 13581 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | OFAC Designation | E.O. 14059 |
| Feb 20, 2025 | Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) | Dept. Of State |
What These Sanctions Mean for U.S. Persons
The implications of these designations are severe. All property and interests in property of the blocked persons and entities that are within the U.S. Or in the possession of U.S. Persons are now frozen. U.S. Persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with these targets unless authorized by a specific license from OFAC.
Violations of these sanctions can result in strict liability civil penalties or criminal prosecution. To facilitate a legal exit, OFAC has issued a general license allowing U.S. Persons to wind down existing operations with CAMSA, Casino Centenario, and Diamante Casino.
For those with information regarding sanctions evasion, the Treasury points to the FinCEN whistleblower incentive program, which may offer awards for information leading to successful enforcement actions with penalties exceeding $1 million.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice regarding U.S. Sanctions compliance.
The Treasury is expected to continue monitoring the financial networks of the Cartel del Noreste as part of its broader strategy to disrupt fentanyl production and trafficking. Further updates on these designations can be found on the official OFAC Recent Actions page.
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