WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The United States has targeted family members and accomplices of a Los Zetas drug cartel leader for sanctions, the Treasury Department said Thursday.
Jesus Fernandez de Luna, a Mexican national, and his cattle sales company, Compania Ganadera 5 Manantiales, engage in drug trafficking activities for the Los Zetas cartel, and its leaders, brothers Miguel Trevino Morales, and his brother Omar Trevino Morales, the department said in a release.
Mexican authorities arrested Miguel Trevino Morales July 15.
The Morales brothers used profits from the narcotics trade to buy American quarter horses, and laundered the money through de Luna and his cattle business, founded by Omar Moraeles' wife and father-in-law, Justice officials said.
The Treasury Department's action, taken under the Kingpin Act, prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in any transactions with the designated persons and entities, and freezes any assets the designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction.
De Luna is wanted in Texas for conspiring to conceal or disguise drug proceeds for the Moraleses. In September 2012, de Luna bought four valuable racehorses for Miguel and Omar Trevino Morales through Compania Ganadera 5 Manantiales. The U.S. government seized and sold the horses at auction.
In addition, de Luna, and his brother Gerardo Fernandez de Luna, along with Joaquin "Chapo" Guzman Loera, were indicted on narcotics trafficking charges.
