On Thursday, OFAC added the following 3 people:
AVINA BRIBIESCA, Jose, Avenida Santa Margarita numero 4950-86, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico; Loma del Infante Casa 25, Col. Lomas de Atemajac, Zapopan, Jalisco CP 45178, Mexico; DOB 23 Apr 1977; POB Distrito Federal, Mexico; R.F.C. AIBJ770423NG1 (Mexico); C.U.R.P. AIBJ770423HDFVRS07 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK] (Linked To: BONA-HABITAT, S.A. DE C.V.).GONZALEZ HERNANDEZ, Ignacio, Paseo San Arturo numero 2051, Fraccionamiento Valle Real, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico; Morelos No. 2223, Arcos Vallarta, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44130, Mexico; DOB 16 Nov 1974; POB Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; Passport3116072917339 (Mexico); R.F.C. GOHI-741116 (Mexico); C.U.R.P. GOHI741116HJCNRG02 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK] (Linked To: BONA-HABITAT, S.A. DE C.V.; Linked To: URBANIZADORA NUEVA ITALIA, S.A. DE C.V.).
GONZALEZ LINARES, Janette Iliana, Primavera 3172, Col. Loma Bonita, Guadalajara, Jalisco CP 44980, Mexico; DOB 28 Aug 1985; POB Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico; C.U.R.P. GOLJ850828MJCNNN02 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK] (Linked To: BONA-HABITAT, S.A. DE C.V.).
and one entity:
BONA-HABITAT, S.A. DE C.V. (a.k.a. “BONA HABITAT”), Morelos 2223, Col. Arcos Vallarta, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; Folio Mercantil No. 44338-1 (Mexico) [SDNTK].
to the Specially Designated Nationals List under its anti-narcotics trafficking sanctions program.
According to Treasury's press release (a relative rarity), these three folks are Mexican attorneys, and all 4 ne designess are tied to the Sinaloa cartel:
“Narcotics traffickers often employ corrupt attorneys to disguise and advance their illicit activities,” said Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. “We will continue to cut off the funding of any actors who enable the illegal dealings of drug trafficking organizations.”
Today’s action targets Jose Avina Bribiesca, Ignacio Gonzalez Hernandez, and Janette Iliana Gonzalez Linares, all of whom are attorneys based in Guadalajara, Mexico. They act on behalf of the previously designated Mexican attorney Juvencio Igancio Gonzalez Parada, a longtime advisor to drug lords Rafael Caro Quintero and Juan Jose Esparragoza Moreno. Gonzalez Parada has engaged in bribery and helps manage these drug traffickers’ illicitly obtained assets and properties. Avina Bribiesca and Gonzalez Hernandez, the son-in-law and son of Gonzalez Parada respectively, along with Gonzalez Linares are involved in a range of activities, on behalf of the Caro Quintero and Esparragoza Moreno networks, including the management of real estate. Additionally, Avina Bribiesca, Gonzalez Hernandez, and Gonzalez Linares hold official positions in the Guadalajara-based real estate company Bona-Habitat, which was also designated today because it is controlled by Gonzalez Parada.
Caro Quintero and Esparragoza Moreno were identified as significant foreign narcotics traffickers pursuant to the Kingpin Act in 2000 and 2003, respectively. Both are fugitives from U.S. drug trafficking charges. Caro Quintero is also wanted for the 1985 kidnapping, torture, and murder of Enrique Camarena, a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The U.S. State Department’s Narcotics Rewards Program is offering rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Caro Quintero and Esparragoza Moreno. In June 2014, uncorroborated rumors began to circulate concerning the possible death of Esparragoza Moreno. However, Mexican officials have not been able to confirm these claims.
The press release also underscores the number of narcotics trafficking-related designations (more than 1600) on the SDN List, as well as includes a reminders as to the penalties… I believe that narcotics sanctions designations are the largest subset of the SDN List (I'll check with my buddy at OFAC – he'll know).
Links:
Filed under: Narcotics Trafficking, OFAC Updates, Sanctions Lists
