Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The United States has blacklisted three high-ranking members and an associated rapper of the notorious Cartel del Noreste, as the Trump administration targets drug trafficking organizations amid it immigration crackdown.
The Treasury announced the sanctions Wednesday against Abdon Federico Rodriguez Garcia, 41, CDN's second-in-command; Antonio Romero Sanchez, 41, a high-ranking CDN member; Francisco Daniel Esqueda Nieto, 30, CDN's tactical operations leaded in Nuevo Laredo; and Ricardo Hernandez Medrano, 34, a Mexican rapper known by his stage names El Makabelico or Comando Exclusivo.
According to the Treasury, the four individuals are "key" enablers of the CDN's "campaign of violence and narco-terrorism."
While the three members blacklisted are accused of directly leading or participating in the gang's drug trafficking and other operations, Medrano is being targeted on accusations that his concerts and events are used to launder money for the gang, with 50% of his royalties from streaming platforms allegedly being directed to CDN.
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