A shadowy network, known as the Hysa Organized Crime Group, has been exposed as a key financial facilitator for the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. This revelation stems from a coordinated effort between the U.S. Treasury and the Mexican government, unveiling a complex web of illicit activity.
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) spearheaded the investigation, meticulously tracing the flow of funds through Mexico-based casinos. The goal: to dismantle the cartel’s ability to launder money and finance its operations.
Recent sanctions target twenty-seven individuals, including Luftar, Arben, Ramiz, Fatos, and Fabjon Hysa – the core members of the HOCG. Simultaneously, a sweeping asset seizure aims to cripple the group’s financial infrastructure and disrupt its criminal enterprise.
The Treasury Department has moved decisively to sever ten Mexico-based gambling establishments from the U.S. financial system. These casinos are alleged to be deeply involved in laundering proceeds from the cartel’s drug trafficking and other illegal ventures.
FinCEN issued a notice of proposed rulemaking, invoking the USA PATRIOT Act to further isolate these entities. This action effectively prohibits U.S. financial institutions from providing services to these casinos, cutting off a vital lifeline for the cartel.
The targeted casinos are scattered across key locations in Mexico, including Sonoran hotspots like Emine Casino, Casino Mirage, and Midas Casino. Other locations under scrutiny include Agua Prieta, Los Mochis, Guamuchil, Mazatlán, and Rosarito, Baja California.
Further investigations have implicated Palermo Casino, Skampa Casino Ensenada, Baja California, and Skampa Casino Villahermosa, Tabasco, in the cartel’s money laundering schemes. These establishments are now facing heightened scrutiny and potential financial repercussions.
Treasury Under Secretary John K. Hurley emphasized the collaborative nature of this operation, stating that the U.S. and Mexico are united in their commitment to combatting financial crime. A clear message has been sent: those who support drug cartels will face severe consequences.
This crackdown represents a significant blow to the Sinaloa Cartel’s financial network, disrupting its ability to operate with impunity. By targeting the Hysa Organized Crime Group and its casino partners, authorities are aiming to dismantle a crucial component of the cartel’s infrastructure.
