New links to drug cartel announced

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. Treasury Department Wednesday announced three people and one organization as newly linked to the leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico.

The Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said the two entities, Residencial del Lago, a residential community in Culiacan owned or controlled by Desarrollos Everest S.A. de C.V. and Desarrollos Everest S.A. de C.V., a real estate development company in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, are connected to Juan Jose "El Azul" Esparragoza Moreno, a Sinaloa Cartel leader who was indicted on drug trafficking charges in federal court in 2003.

Also linked to Esparragoza are Jorge Enrique Esquerra Esquer, Julio Cesar Estrada Gutierrez and Carlos Alberto Leon Santiesteban, all of Mexico.

Americans are prohibited under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act from participating in commercial or financial transactions with such designees. The Act also freezes any assets under U.S. jurisdiction.