The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on the Hysa family and their companies for laundering money for the Sinaloa Cartel. This joint action with Mexico and FinCEN aims to isolate illicit financial operations in casinos and restaurants. The group operates with the cartel's consent in key Mexican territories.
On November 13, 2025, the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in coordination with FinCEN and the Mexican government, announced sanctions against the Hysa Organized Crime Group (HOCG), led by members of the Albanian-origin Luftar Hysa family. This network uses companies in Mexico, such as casinos, restaurants, and hydrocarbon firms, to launder drug trafficking proceeds from the Sinaloa Cartel, moving large sums of cash from Mexico to the United States with local accomplices.
The identified leaders are Luftar, Arben, Ramiz, Fatos, and Fabjon Hysa, with operations in Nuevo León, Sonora, Sinaloa, Baja California, Poland, and Canada. Luftar, visible in interviews about his businesses, directs several key firms. Arben is involved in cash smuggling and laundering through luxury gaming and restaurants. Ramiz uses similar establishments as fronts, while Fatos and Fabjon participate in transfers to Europe to enrich illicit funds.
Among the sanctioned companies are Entretenimiento Palermo S.A. de C.V., central to casinos; Rosetta Gaming S.A. de C.V., based in Krakow for betting video games; Diversiones Los Mochis S.A. de C.V. and Bliri S.A. de C.V. for machinery; H Hidrocarburos S.A. de C.V. for petroleum products; and Cucina Del Porto S.A. de C.V. for food services. Others include Hysa Forwarders S.A. de C.V., LH Pro-Gaming S.A. de C.V., and more.
FinCEN proposed special measures against 10 Mexican casinos, including Casino Mirage in Culiacán, Palermo Casino in Nogales, and several Midas Casinos in Sonora and Sinaloa, to block their access to the US financial system. Undersecretary John K. Hurley stated: “Our message to those who support the cartels is clear: they will be held accountable.” These sanctions block US assets and prohibit transactions, affecting 27 persons and entities, including notary Gilberto López López and Eselda Baku, daughter of Ramiz.
The HOCG operates with the Sinaloa Cartel's consent, which controls the relevant territories, representing a key transnational operation across North America and Europe.