On May 5, 2016, the United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Abdul Mohamed Waked Fares, Mohamed Abdo Waked Darwich, Grupo Wisa, S.A., and the Waked Money Laundering Organization as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNTs) pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act). OFAC announced that same day the designations of five other individuals and 67 related companies pursuant to the Kingpin Act, including Felix B. Maduro, S.A, Importadora Maduro, S.A., and Maduro Internacional, S.A. (referred to as the “Felix Maduro Group”), which were sanctioned for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, Abdul Mohamed Waked Fares, Mohamed Abdo Waked Darwich, and Grupo Wisa, S.A.

Based on consultations with and actions undertaken by the Government of Panama, OFAC understands that the Government of Panama is working to sever the SDNTs’ ownership and control of the Felix Maduro Group, in an effort to protect the Panamanian and U.S. financial systems from abuse. We support these efforts to deny resources to SDNTs and to protect the international financial system.

OFAC understands that non-U.S. persons, including Panamanian and other institutions in the region, may be required to engage in transactions necessary to facilitate the removal of the SDNT ownership and control for the following entities:

• Felix B. Maduro S.A., Panama; RUC # 811226-1-498041 (Panama); alt. RUC # 78-273- 13798 (Panama) [SDNTK]
• Importadora Maduro, S.A., Panama; RUC # 558-472-101708 (Panama) [SDNTK]
• Maduro Internacional, S.A., Panama; RUC # 5651-184-69069 (Panama) [SDNTK]

  Such non-U.S. persons will not be designated by OFAC for engaging in transactions related to the removal of the SDNT ownership and control of the Felix Maduro Group, provided that such non-U.S. persons are engaging in arm’s length, bona fide transactions and that any funds or other economic resources for the benefit of any SDNTs are placed in an approved restricted account.

  To the extent such a transaction would involve a U.S. person or otherwise implicate U.S. jurisdiction, involved parties should apply for a specific license from OFAC to engage in the transaction. Applications for such OFAC authorization may be submitted via the OFAC website.

  OFAC reiterates its commitment to continue in good faith and collaborative dialogue with the Government of Panama in an effort to minimize the unintended impacts on Felix Maduro’s labor force stemming from the designation of the Waked Money Laundering Organization. 

SSID: 10-16779 Foreign identifier: QI.S.260.08. Name: Daniel Martin Schneider
DOB: 9 Sep 1985 POB: Neunkirchen (Saar), Germany Low quality a.k.a.: Abdullah Address: a) Petrusstrasse 32, 66125 Herrensohr, Dudweiler, Saarbrücken, Germany (previous address) b) Germany (In prison in Germany (since Sep 2007)) Nationality: Germany Identification document: a) Passport No. 2318047793, Germany, Date of issue: 17 May 2006, Place of issue: Friedrichsthal, Germany, Expiry date: 16 May 2011 b) ID card No. 2318229333, Germany, Date of issue: 17 May 2006, Place of issue: Friedrichsthal, Germany, Expiry date: 16 May 2011 (reported lost)
Relation: a) Associated with Fritz Martin Gelowicz (QI.G.259.08., SSID 10-15588) b) Associated with Adem Yilmaz (QI.Y.261.08., SSID 10-17000) c) Associated with Islamic Jihad Group (QE.I.119.05., SSID 10-17571) Other information: Associated with the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU), also known as the Islamic Jihad Group (QE.I.119.05.). Associated with Fritz Martin Gelowicz (QI.G.259.08.) and Adem Yilmaz (QI.Y.261.08.). In detention in Germany as of Jun. 2010. Modifications: De-listed on 5 Jul 2016 

SSID: 10-15588 Foreign identifier: QI.G.259.08. Name: Fritz Martin Gelowicz
DOB: 1 Sep 1979 POB: München, Germany Good quality a.k.a.: a) Robert Konars b) Markus Gebert Low quality a.k.a.: a) Malik b) Benzl c) Bentley Address: a) Böfinger Weg 20, Ulm, 89075, Germany b) Germany (In prison in Germany (since Sep 2007)) Nationality: Germany Identification document: a) Passport No. 7020069907, Germany, Place of issue: Ulm, Germany, Expiry date: 11 May 2010 b) ID card No. 7020783883, Germany, Place of issue: Ulm, Germany, Expiry date: 10 Jun 2008
Other identity: Robert Konars
DOB: 10 Apr 1979 POB: Liege, Belgium
Relation: a) Associated with Daniel Martin Schneider (QI.S.260.08., SSID 10-16779) b) Associated with Adem Yilmaz (QI.Y.261.08., SSID 10-17000) c) Associated with Islamic Jihad Group (QE.I.119.05., SSID 10-17571) Other information: Associated with the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU), also known as the Islamic Jihad Group (QE.I.119.05.). Associated with Daniel Martin Schneider (QI.S.260.08.) and Adem Yilmaz (QI.Y.261.08.). In detention in Germany as of Jun 2010. Modifications: Amended on 5 Jul 2016

SSID: 10-17000 Foreign identifier: QI.Y.261.08. Name: Adem Yilmaz
DOB: 4 Nov 1978 POB: Bayburt, Turkey Low quality a.k.a.: Talha Address: a) Südliche Ringstrasse 133, Langen, 63225, Germany (previous address) b) Germany (In prison in Germany (since Sep 2007)) Nationality: Turkey Identification document: Passport No. TR-P 614 166, Turkey, Date of issue: 22 Mar 2006, Place of issue: Frankfurt/M, Expiry date: 15 Sep 2009 (issued by the Turkish Consulate General in Frankfurt/M)
Relation: a) Associated with Fritz Martin Gelowicz (QI.G.259.08., SSID 10-15588) b) Associated with Daniel Martin Schneider (QI.S.260.08., SSID 10-16779) c) Associated with Islamic Jihad Group (QE.I.119.05., SSID 10-17571) Other information: Associated with the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU), also known as the Islamic Jihad Group (QE.I.119.05.). Associated with Fritz Martin Gelowicz (QI.G.259.08.) and Daniel Martin Schneider (QI.S.260.08QI.G.259.08.). In detention in Germany as of Jun 2010. Modifications: Amended on 5 Jul 2016

43. May the U.S. dollar be used to conduct transactions in Cuba or with Cuban nationals?

Yes. Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction may engage in transactions in U.S. dollars in Cuba or with Cuban nationals with respect to activity that is authorized pursuant to the CACR. For example, payments for telecommunications services in Cuba provided pursuant to 31 CFR
§ 515.542 may be made in U.S. dollars. Further, the use of U.S. dollars for transactions that are exempt from the prohibitions of or not otherwise prohibited by the CACR is also authorized. For example, payments related to the importation or exportation of informational materials as defined in 31 CFR § 515.332, such as books or musical recordings, may be made in U.S. dollars.

In addition, 31 CFR § 515.584(d), commonly known as the “U–turn” general license, authorizes U.S. banking institutions to process transactions originating and terminating outside the United States provided that neither the originator nor the beneficiary is a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction. This means that transactions related to third-country commerce involving Cuba or Cuban nationals may be processed in U.S. dollars through the U.S. financial system via financial institutions located in the United States that serve as intermediary banks. FAQ #63 clarifies that foreign branches or subsidiaries of U.S. banking institutions may act as the originating or beneficiary banks for such transactions.

The examples below illustrate some of the transactions and parties that may use the U-turn general license:

50. May correspondent accounts authorized pursuant to 31 CFR § 515.584(a) or used for transactions authorized by 31 CFR § 515.584(g) be established and maintained in U.S. dollars?

Yes. Correspondent accounts of depository institutions (as defined in 31 CFR § 515.333) at a financial institution that is a national of Cuba authorized pursuant to § 515.584(a) may be established and maintained in U.S. dollars. Such accounts may be used only for transactions that are authorized by or exempt from the CACR. Transactions necessary to establish and maintain such correspondent accounts – such as originating, processing, and terminating authorized funds transfers in U.S. dollars – are authorized.  

Additionally, correspondent accounts used for transactions authorized by 31 C.F.R. § 515.584(g), which permits banking institutions as defined in 31 C.F.R. § 515.314(g) that are persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to accept, process, and give credit to U.S. dollar monetary instruments presented indirectly by a financial institution that is a national of Cuba, may be denominated in U.S. dollars.

However, financial institutions that are nationals of Cuba remain prohibited from opening correspondent accounts at a U.S. financial institution. For a complete description of what these general licenses authorize and the restrictions that apply, see 31 CFR § 515.584(a) and (g). 

SCHNEIDER, Daniel, Martin
DOB: 09/09/1985. POB: Neunkirchen (Saar), Germany Nationality: German Passport Details: 2318047793 (German). Issued in Friedrichsthal, Germany on 17 May 2006. Expired on 16 May 2011 National Identification no: German Federal ID Card 2318229333. Issued in Friedrichsthal, Germany on 17 May 2006. Expired on 16 May 2011 (reported lost) Address: (1) Germany (in prison since Sept 2007). (2) Petrusstrasse 32, 66125 Herrensohr, Dudweiler, Saarbrucken, Germany (Previous address). Other Information: UN Ref QI.S.260.08. Also referred to as Abdullah. Associated with Islamic Jihad Union. Associated with Fritz Martin Gelowicz and Adem Yilmaz. In detention in Germany as of June 2010. Group ID: 10751. 

KHAN, Parviz
DOB: (1) 17/10/1970. (2) 16/10/1970. POB: (1) Mirpur (2) Derby, (1) Pakistan (2) United Kingdom Nationality: British Passport Details: 459027340 (British) Address: Birmingham, United Kingdom (previous address), B8. Other Information: UK listing only. Male. Sentenced to life imprisonment in Feb 2008. In custody in the UK (as at Feb 2016). Group ID: 9026. 

OFAC considered the following to be aggravating factors:

(1) HyperBranch acted willfully by exporting products to its foreign distributor with knowledge or reason to know that the exports were ultimately destined for Iran in apparent violation of U.S. law, editing its destination control statement at the request of its distributor, and continuing to conduct business with its distributor after receiving confirmation that the distributor had reexported HyperBranch products to Iran in apparent violation of U.S. law; 

(2) HyperBranch’s former CEO and former International Sales Manager knew that the exports at issue were ultimately destined for Iran; and (3) HyperBranch did not have a sanctions compliance program in place at the time of the apparent violations. 

OFAC considered the following to be mitigating factors: 

(1) harm to U.S. sanctions program objectives was limited because the exports involved medical end-use products that were likely eligible for a specific license; 

(2) HyperBranch has no prior OFAC sanctions history, including no penalty notice or Finding of Violation in the five years preceding the date of the earliest transaction giving rise to the apparent violations, making it eligible for “first violation” mitigation of up to 25 percent; 

(3) HyperBranch took remedial steps, including the implementation of an OFAC compliance program; and 

(4) HyperBranch cooperated with OFAC’s investigation and agreed to toll the statute of limitations for a total of 513 days.

 

SSID: 10-16293 Foreign identifier: QI.M.129.03. Name: Djamel Moustfa
DOB: 28 Sep 1973 POB: Tiaret, Algeria Low quality a.k.a.: Mustafa Address: Algeria Nationality: Algeria Identification document: a) Driving license No. 20645897, Denmark (Counterfeit, made out to Ali Barkani, born on 22 Aug. 1973 in Morocco) b) Other No. -, Algeria (Birth certificate, issued for Djamel Mostefa, born on 25 Sep 1973 in Mehdia, Tiaret province, Algeria)
Other identity: Ali Barkani
DOB: 22 Aug 1973 POB: Morocco
Other identity: Kalad Belkasam
DOB: 31 Dec 1979
Other identity: Mostafa Djamel
DOB: 31 Dec 1979 POB: Maskara, Algeria
Other identity: Mostefa Djamel
DOB: 26 Sep 1973 POB: Mahdia, Algeria
Other identity: Mustafa Djamel
DOB: 31 Dec 1979 POB: Maskara, Algeria
Other identity: Balkasam Kalad
DOB: 26 Aug 1973 POB: Algiers, Algeria
Other identity: Bekasam Kalad
DOB: 26 Aug 1973 POB: Algiers, Algeria
Other identity: Belkasam Kalad
DOB: 26 Aug 1973 POB: Algiers, Algeria
Other identity: Damel Mostafa
DOB: 31 Dec 1979 POB: Algiers, Algeria
Other identity: Djamal Mostafa
DOB: 31 Dec 1979 POB: Maskara, Algeria 

Other identity: Djamal Mostafa

DOB: 10 Jun 1982
Other identity: Djamel Mostafa
DOB: 31 Dec 1979 POB: Maskara, Algeria Other identity: Djamel Mostafa

DOB: 31 Dec 1979 POB: Algiers, Algeria Other identity: Fjamel Moustfa
DOB: 28 Sep 1973 POB: Tiaret, Algeria Other identity: Djamel Mustafa

DOB: 31 Dec 1979
Other identity: Djamel Mustafa
DOB: 31 Dec 1979 POB: Maskara, Algeria
Relation: Associated with Aschraf Al-Dagma (QI.A.132.03., SSID 10-14092) Other information: Father’s name is Djelalli Moustfa. Mother’s name is Kadeja Mansore. Associated with Ismail Abdallah Sbaitan Shalabi (QI.S.128.03), Mohamed Abu Dhess (QI.A.130.03) and Aschraf Al-Dagma (QI.A.132.03). Deported from Germany to Algeria in Sep. 2007. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 19 Oct 2009. Modifications: Amended on 6 Oct 2015, 15 Jul 2016 

SSID: 10-14092 Foreign identifier: QI.A.132.03. Name: Aschraf Al-Dagma
DOB: 28 Apr 1969 POB: a) Abasan, Gaza Strip, Palestinian territory b) Kannyouiz, Palestinian territory Good quality a.k.a.: Aschraf Al-Dagma Address: Germany Nationality: Palestinian territory
Relation: Associated with Djamel Moustfa (QI.M.129.03., SSID 10-16293) Other information: Refugee travel document issued by Landratsamt Altenburger Land (Altenburg County Administration Office),Germany, dated 30 Apr 2000. Associated with Ismail Abdallah Sbaitan Shalabi (QI.S.128.03.), Djamel Moustfa (QI.M.129.03.) and Mohamed Abu Dhess (QI.A.130.03.). Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 19 Jan 2010. Modifications: Amended on 6 Oct 2015, de-listed on 15 Jul 2016 

‘Aschraf Al-Dagma (alias Aschraf Al Dagma). Address: Germany. Date of birth: 28.4.1969. Place of birth: (a) Abasan, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, (b) Kannyouiz, Palestinian Territories. Nationality: Unresolved/Palestinian origin. Other information: (a) Refugee travel document issued by Landratsamt Altenburger Land (Altenburg County Administration Office), Germany, dated 30.4.2000; (b) Associated with Ismail Abdallah Sbaitan Shalabi, Djamel Moustfa and Mohamed Abu Dhess. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a(4)(b): 23.9.2003.’ 

SSID: 10-28861 Foreign identifier: TI.R.172.14. Name: Qari RahmatRahmatullah Shah Nawaz
Title: Alhaj DOB: a) 1981 b) 1982 POB: Shadal Bazaar, Achin District (Shadaal), Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan Good quality a.k.a.: a) Kari RahmatQuari Rhamat (previously listed as) b) Kari Rahmat Address: a) Kamkai Village, Achin District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan b) Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan c) Surkhel village, Achin District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan d) Batan village, Achin District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan Nationality: Afghanistan

Justification: a) Physical description: eye colour: brown, hair colour: black, weight: 77-81 kg, height: 178 cm short-to-medium black beard, short black hair. Belongs to Shinwari tribe, Sepahi subtribe. A Taliban commander since at least Feb 2010. Collects taxes and bribes on behalf of the TalibanTaliban as of Apr 2015. Liaises with and provides Taliban operatives in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, with information, guidance, housing and weapons and has emplaced improvised explosive devices (IED) and conducted attacks against International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan forcesforces. Involved in drug trafficking and operates heroin laboratory in Abdulkhel village, Achin district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. b) Qari Rahmat was listed on 21 Aug 2014 pursuant to paragraph 2 of resolution 2160 (2014) for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of”, “supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel to” as well as “recruiting for” and “otherwise supporting acts or activities of those designated and other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with the Taliban in constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan”. Other information: a) In early 2013, Rahmat served as a Taliban commander in the Shadaal Bazaar area of Achin District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. Rahmat directed the activities of approximately 300 Taliban operatives in Achin District and provided operational guidance and weapons to these operatives. In late 2012, Rahmat led an attack on Afghan forces in Kot District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. As of mid-2012, Rahmat served under the Taliban shadow district chief for Achin District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. During this time, Rahmat was a Taliban facilitator who emplaced improvised explosive devices and conducted attacks against International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan forces. b) As of early 2013, Rahmat collected taxes on behalf of the Taliban from drug traffickers based in the Shadaal Bazaar, Achin District, Nangarhar Province. As of mid-2012, Rahmat was in charge of collecting taxes from narcotics traffickers for the Taliban. c) Rahmat provides intelligence information to the Taliban. As of early 2013, Rahmat provided his Taliban superiors with information on the activities of Afghan government officials and Afghan security forces in Achin District, Nangarhar Province. Rahmat gathered intelligence for the Taliban from Afghan Government employees as of mid-2012 and also conducted investigations to expose ISAF and Afghan Government informants for the benefit of the Taliban. d) Rahmat has also provided lethal aid, housing, and guidance to Taliban fighters. As of late 2012, Rahmat provided rocket-propelled grenades, PKM light machine guns and AK-47 assault rifles to the Taliban. Rahmat also sheltered Taliban fighters at his guest house and provided tactical guidance to Taliban fighters during this period. As of late 2011, Rahmat had a guest house in Achin District where Taliban members often stayed. Modifications: Listed on 18 Sep 2014, amended on 21 Jul 2016