The US Department of the Treasury imposed financial sanctions on Wednesday, May 20, against the Gorditas Chiwas restaurant in Chihuahua and 12 individuals for their alleged role in money laundering networks linked to the Sinaloa Cartel.
The sanctions target Alfredo Orozco Romero, identified as a security adviser and debt collector for Armando de Jesús Ojeda Avilés, who leads a network that collects cash from fentanyl and other drug sales to convert it into cryptocurrencies. Orozco controls the restaurant through relatives Amalia Margarita Romero Moreno and Liliana Orozco Romero, designated as front persons.
The Treasury Department stated that Gorditas Chiwas and the company Grupo Especial Mamba Negra provided financial or material support to the criminal organization. The measures freeze the assets of those sanctioned in the United States and prohibit transactions with US persons.
Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit announced it is investigating the individuals and entities named to identify possible operations with illicit funds. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration will not allow narcoterrorists to flood the borders with poison.
