"The main target of the action is the laboratory supply company Sumilab, based in Culiacan, the capital of the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The Treasury Department, which previously sanctioned the company in 2023, maintains that this business participates in the Sinaloa Cartel's fentanyl production chain. The U.S. identified the Favela Lopez family as being behind the Sumilab operation, specifically four siblings (Victor Andres, Francisco, Jorge Luis, and Gabriela) and some of their partners (Jairo Verdugo and Gilberto Gallardo)."
"EL PAIS revealed two years ago that Sumilab's main client was the government of the state of Sinaloa itself: between 2018 and 2022, the state awarded the company public contracts totaling 14.7 million pesos (nearly $800,000). Following OFAC's May 2023 sanctions targeting Sumilab, the Favela Lopez family removed signage from Sumilab storefronts and changed tactics, but remained heavily engaged in supplying precursor chemicals for the Sinaloa Cartel's fentanyl production, the statement said."
OFAC announced sanctions against eight individuals and 12 companies tied to the Sinaloa Cartel's Los Chapitos faction for supplying fentanyl precursor chemicals. The primary target is Sumilab, a Culiacan laboratory supply company that the Treasury previously sanctioned in 2023 and that participates in the cartel's fentanyl production chain. The U.S. identified the Favela Lopez family—siblings Victor Andres, Francisco, Jorge Luis, and Gabriela—and partners Jairo Verdugo and Gilberto Gallardo as operators of Sumilab. Sumilab reportedly received public contracts from the Sinaloa state government between 2018 and 2022. Family members removed storefront signage after 2023 sanctions but continued distributing precursors, laboratory equipment, and chemicals sold to U.S. companies for drug production.
Read at english.elpais.com
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