US Treasury sanctions criminal group operating casinos in Mexico

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions Thursday against a criminal group operating casinos in Mexico that were allegedly used to launder drug proceeds for the Sinaloa cartel.

The U.S. announcement came one day after Mexican authorities said they had suspended 13 casinos across the country that it accused of money laundering. The Mexican government did not share the names of the casinos so it was not immediately clear if the same casinos were involved, but the two governments spoke of cooperation.

“Our message to those supporting the cartels is clear: You will be held accountable,” U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley said in the statement Thursday. “We thank the Government of Mexico for its strong partnership in this effort.”

The sanctions target a half-dozen members of the Hysa family and more than 20 businesses including casinos and high-end restaurants.

The sanctions block assets the targeted people have in the United States and prohibit people from doing business with them in the U.S.

The U.S. Treasury also proposed prohibiting financial institutions from dealing with 10 Mexican casinos located mostly in northwest Mexico, because of the money laundering risk that they pose.