US OFAC Sanctions 11 Individuals, 2 Entities Tied to Sinaloa Cartel, Adds 6 Ethereum Addresses
On May 20, 2026, the US Treasury's OFAC designated 11 individuals and two entities linked to Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel (CDS), adding six Ethereum addresses to the SDN list. Five addresses belong to Armando de Jesus Ojeda Aviles and one to Liliana Orozco Romero. This action follows the FTO designation of CDS in early 2025, expanding enforcement tools. Cartels use cryptocurrency alongside bulk cash and trade-based methods to launder proceeds. Chinese money laundering organizations (CMLOs) play a key role, matching cartel cash with Chinese capital flight demand via cryptocurrency at 0.5-5% fees. Over 50% of OFAC-designated crypto addresses in 2025 tied to drug markets. Compliance teams must screen against the updated SDN list and beware of multi-wallet fragmentation typologies.
Key facts
- OFAC sanctioned 11 individuals and 2 entities linked to Sinaloa Cartel on May 20, 2026.
- Six Ethereum addresses added to SDN list; five attributed to one individual.
- Cartels use crypto, bulk cash, and trade-based methods for money laundering.
- Chinese money laundering organizations facilitate flows via crypto at 0.5-5% fees.
- Over 50% of OFAC crypto designations in 2025 tied to illicit drug markets.