Treasury imposes sanctions on Mexico-based Cartel del Noreste over drug and arms trafficking

The Treasury Department on Wednesday announced new sanctions on members of the Mexico-based foreign terrorist organization (FTO) Cartel del Noreste, over suspicion it has engaged in drugs and arms trafficking. 

The cartel is known for attacking a U.S. consulate in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, with grenades and gunfire in 2022, after the U.S. arrested one of its members. 

The department is targeting two of the cartel's high-ranking members in its new sanctions, including Miguel Angel de Anda Ledezma, who is responsible for the procurement of guns and ammunition for the cartel. 

The other official is Ricardo Gonzalez Sauceda, who was second in command of the cartel prior to his arrest.

"The Trump Administration is committed to dismantling cartels and holding them accountable for violence and terror," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a post on X. "We will continue cutting off their access to drugs, money, and weapons to Make America Safe Again.

"Today’s sanctions against two high-ranking members of Mexico-based Cartel del Noreste reinforce our commitment to target all violent cartels involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms trafficking, and other heinous crimes that are endangering the American people," he added.

The new sanctions blocks all assets the members have in the U.S. and prevent the country from doing business with them.

The United States designated the cartel a FTO in February, and has taken five actions against the cartels under the Trump administration so far, including sanctioning 16 individuals and 9 entities related to cartels.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.