"From the bright lights of gambling machines to luxury restaurants to suspected money laundering for the Sinaloa Cartel: the Trump administration last week dealt another blow to the heart of the finances of the criminal organization being fought over by the heirs of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman and Ismael El Mayo Zambada. The U.S. Treasury Department has blocked the business empire of the Hysa family, originally from Albania, and a dozen Mexico-based gambling establishments for allegedly laundering money for the cartel."
"A recent report from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) details a complex network that included shell companies, multimillion-dollar transfers abroad, and payments to the cartel through these gambling establishments. What seemed like a business success story involving bars, casinos, upscale restaurants, energy companies and clothing retailers has turned out to be a nightmare. The Hysa family and 20 of its companies are now in the crosshairs of the United States amid Trump's financial crusade against Mexican cartels."
"The Hysa Organized Crime Group (HOCG), which includes family members Luftar Hysa, Arben Hysa, Ramiz Hysa, Fatos Hysa and Fabjon Hysa, has used its influence through its investments in, or control over, various Mexico-based businesses including gambling establishments and restaurants to launder the proceeds of narcotics trafficking. The HOCG is believed to operate with the consent of the Sinaloa Cartel, which maintains criminal control over much of the territory where the group conducts its activities,"
U.S. authorities targeted the Hysa family and roughly 20 affiliated companies for allegedly laundering narcotics proceeds through casinos, restaurants, energy firms and retailers. A FinCEN report describes a complex network of shell companies, multimillion-dollar transfers abroad, and payments funneled to the Sinaloa Cartel via Mexico-based gambling establishments. The Hysa Organized Crime Group includes multiple family members who invested in or controlled businesses used to clean drug money. OFAC identified cartel consent for the group's operations and the Treasury blocked six family members, a Mexican associate, and companies across Mexico, Canada and Poland.
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