U.S. sanctions Mexican firms tied to Sinaloa fentanyl precursors
On October 6, 2025 the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned about a dozen Mexico-based companies and eight managers accused of procuring and funneling precursor chemicals to the Sinaloa cartel’s 'Chapitos' faction to produce fentanyl. The measures—announced by Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence—freeze any assets in the United States, bar U.S. transactions with the named firms (including Sumilab, previously sanctioned in 2023), and form part of a broader Trump administration push to treat cartel networks as national‑security threats.
International
National Security
📌 Key Facts
- U.S. Treasury designated roughly 12 Mexico-based companies and 8 managers on Oct. 6, 2025 for supplying precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl to the Sinaloa cartel's 'Chapitos' faction.
- Sanctions freeze all assets in the U.S. and prohibit U.S. persons and entities from transacting with the designated companies and individuals.
- Sumilab—previously sanctioned in 2023—was singled out as maintaining corporate structure via front companies, per Treasury; Under Secretary John K. Hurley was quoted describing the move as part of dismantling cartel financial networks.