The US Treasury dropped new sanctions on May 1, 2025, targeting three Mexican nationals and two Mexico-based companies linked to fuel theft and smuggling operations run by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, known as CJNG. The action zeroes in on one of the cartel’s most lucrative, and least discussed, revenue streams: stealing and reselling fuel.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent didn’t mince words, calling the cartel’s fuel theft and smuggling operations “cash cows” for CJNG. That framing matters. It signals the US government views these operations not as side hustles but as core financial infrastructure keeping one of the world’s most dangerous cartels running.
Who got sanctioned and why it matters
The Office of Foreign Assets Control designated three individuals: Cesar Morfin Morfin, identified as a CJNG cell leader, along with Alvaro Noe Morfin Morfin and Remigio Morfin Morfin. Two entities also landed on the list: SLA Servicios Logisticos Ambientales, SA de CV and Grupo Jala Logistica, SA de CV.
The designations fall under Executive Orders 14059 and 13224, which address illicit drug trafficking and terrorism financing, respectively.
