Washington Targets Cartel del Noreste's Racetrack, Fuel and Construction Network as Brussels Lifts Four Listings
On 13 October 2026 OFAC designated four individuals and 11 entities connected to Cartel del Noreste, the Nuevo Laredo successor to Los Zetas. At the centre is Gamaliel Garza Garcia, a businessman and quarter-horse owner whom Treasury calls a cartel associate, with nine construction, fuel and racing companies it says he owns or controls, including CEGESA, which Treasury says channelled cartel money to election campaigns. Club La Molienda, a Nuevo Laredo racetrack, is designated as cartel-controlled, alongside the plaza boss known as El Takia and a trucking company linked to cocaine shipments. Thirteen of the 15 carry secondary sanctions risk under E.O. 13224. The same day the EU removed Mikail Gutseriev and Viktar Shautsou from its Belarus regime and Aboubacar Chérif Diakité and Jean-Claude Pivi from its Guinea regime, with effect from 15 October; Gutseriev stays listed under the EU Russia regime and in the UK, and Diakité and Pivi remain on the UK list. Treasury also announced penalties against Bank of America, including an OFAC settlement over slow watchlist updates.
This issue
- New designations
- 15
- Removals
- 4
- Entries amended
- 0
- Sources monitored
- 97
Fifteen Names Behind a Cartel's Racetrack, Fuel and Building Business
On 13 October 2026 OFAC designated four individuals and 11 entities connected to Cartel del Noreste (CDN), the Nuevo Laredo successor to Los Zetas that the State Department named a Foreign Terrorist Organization in February 2025. Thirteen are designated under both E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended; the trucking company Tamex Logistics and its dispatcher, Francisco Javier Inzunza Partida, are designated under E.O. 14059 only. At the centre is Gamaliel Garza Garcia, an Anahuac businessman and quarter-horse owner whom Treasury calls a CDN associate, with nine companies it says he owns or controls: the builder CEGESA, which Treasury says channelled CDN money to election campaigns and won public contracts in Nuevo Laredo and Tamaulipas, the materials supplier COPASA, the racing barn Cuadra San Dibanh, two more construction firms and four fuel and gas companies.
Club La Molienda, the racetrack, restaurant and bar outside Nuevo Laredo, is designated as controlled by CDN. Garza Garcia's son, Gamaliel Garza Elias, is designated for running CEGESA day to day and, Treasury says, delivering cash to election campaigns, and Pablo Cesar Guajardo Alvarez, known as El Takia, is named as CDN's plaza boss in Nuevo Laredo. Tamex's truck yard, Treasury says, was the origin of at least two cocaine shipments, 52 kilograms in all, hidden in trailer brake drums. In Brussels the same day, the Council removed four people from two regimes and extended its Guinea measures to 27 October 2027; the removals take effect on 15 October.
Party detail
Every row below was read against the issuing authority's own notice, not against a press report. Aliases are reproduced in full, including non Latin script forms, because the alias field is where a screening run usually fails. Identifiers are published sanctions data.
| Party | Action and instrument | Identifiers | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gamaliel Garza Garcia | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Date of birth: 23 Oct 1974Place of birth: Nuevo Leon, MexicoNationality: MexicanCURP: GAGG741023HNLRRM06 (Mexico)Address: Anahuac, Nuevo Leon, Mexico | Mexico-based businessman and quarter-horse racing owner described by Treasury as an associate of Cartel del Noreste (CDN); owns or controls CEGESA, COPASA, Cuadra San Dibanh and six Nuevo Laredo construction and fuel companies. Designated under E.O. 14059 for providing financial, material or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, CDN, and under E.O. 13224, as amended, for materially assisting or supporting CDN |
| Gamaliel Garza Elias | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Date of birth: 10 Jul 1997Place of birth: Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, MexicoNationality: MexicanCURP: GAEG970710HTSRLM04 (Mexico)Address: Anahuac, Nuevo Leon, Mexico | Son of Gamaliel Garza Garcia, involved in the day-to-day operations of CEGESA; Treasury says he delivered cash to fund election campaigns of CDN's preferred candidates. Designated under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of CEGESA |
| Pablo Cesar Guajardo Alvarez | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Date of birth: 29 Dec 1998Place of birth: Tamaulipas, MexicoNationality: MexicanCURP: GUAP981229HTSJLB08 (Mexico)Address: Mexico | Current CDN plaza boss of Nuevo Laredo and former leader of CDN's sicarios, per Treasury; involved in arms trafficking for CDN. Designated under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of CDN |
| Francisco Javier Inzunza Partida | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs); SDN tag [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Date of birth: 21 Nov 1986Place of birth: Coahuila, MexicoNationality: MexicanCURP: IUPF861121HCLNRR09 (Mexico)Address: Mexico | Dispatcher for Tamex Logistics who, per Treasury, dispatched the two trailers seized with concealed narcotics. Designated under E.O. 14059 for engaging in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs |
| Club La Molienda | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Address: Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico | Horse racetrack, restaurant and bar on the outskirts of Nuevo Laredo controlled by CDN; the most prominent racetrack in the city, charging entry fees to racers and spectators. Designated under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, CDN |
| Construcciones y Edificaciones Garza Elias, S.A. de C.V. | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Folio Mercantil: 5576 (Mexico)Identifier: established 09 Mar 2016Address: Anahuac, Nuevo Leon, Mexico | Construction company (CEGESA) that Treasury says CDN used to funnel money to election campaigns and that corruptly obtained public contracts, including from Nuevo Laredo and Tamaulipas, sub-contracting the work to CDN-affiliated individuals. Designated under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, Gamaliel Garza Garcia |
| Concretos y Productos Asfalticos del Norte, S.A. de C.V. | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Folio Mercantil: N-2024024028 (Mexico)Identifier: established 20 Mar 2024Address: Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico | Nuevo Laredo materials supplier (COPASA) created by Garza Garcia to supply the construction contracts performed by CEGESA. Designated under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, Gamaliel Garza Garcia |
| Cuadra San Dibanh | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Address: Anahuac, Nuevo Leon, Mexico | Anahuac, Nuevo Leon quarter-horse racing barn controlled by Garza Garcia; races at La Molienda. Designated under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, Gamaliel Garza Garcia |
| Construaceros del Fuerte, S.A. de C.V. | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Folio Mercantil: N-2024028434 (Mexico)Identifier: established 13 Mar 2024Address: Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico | Nuevo Laredo construction company controlled by Garza Garcia. Designated under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, Gamaliel Garza Garcia |
| Inova NLD Desarrollos Inmobilarios, S.A. de C.V. | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Folio Mercantil: N-2024082509 (Mexico)Identifier: established 05 Sep 2024Address: Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico | Nuevo Laredo construction company controlled by Garza Garcia. Designated under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, Gamaliel Garza Garcia |
| Distribuidora de Gas Economico, S.A. de C.V. | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Folio Mercantil: N-2025031155 (Mexico)Identifier: established 11 Mar 2025Address: Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico | Nuevo Laredo fuel and gas company controlled by Garza Garcia. Designated under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, Gamaliel Garza Garcia |
| Gas Energia Confiable, S.A. de C.V. | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Folio Mercantil: N-2025036516 (Mexico)Identifier: established 11 Mar 2025Address: Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico | Nuevo Laredo fuel and gas company controlled by Garza Garcia. Designated under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, Gamaliel Garza Garcia |
| Propane Trading Group, S.A. de C.V. | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Folio Mercantil: N-2025031199 (Mexico)Identifier: established 11 Mar 2025Address: Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico | Nuevo Laredo fuel and gas company controlled by Garza Garcia. Designated under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, Gamaliel Garza Garcia |
| Transportadora de Gas de Nuevo Laredo, S.A. de C.V. | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs) and Executive Order 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 (terrorism); SDN tags [SDGT] [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Folio Mercantil: N-2025031250 (Mexico)Identifier: established 11 Mar 2025Address: Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico | Nuevo Laredo fuel and gas transportation company controlled by Garza Garcia (the SDN entry records no linked party). Designated under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, Gamaliel Garza Garcia |
| Tamex Logistics | DesignationExecutive Order 14059 (illicit drugs); SDN tag [ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059] | Identifier: SCAC TLOJIdentifier: CAAT 7547 (Mexico)Address: Villa de Hidalgo 239, Granjas Guzman, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas 88293, Mexico | Nuevo Laredo trucking company; Treasury says its truck yard originated at least two US-bound cocaine shipments, 52 kilograms in total, hidden in trailer brake drums. Designated under E.O. 14059 for engaging in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs |
| Mikail Safarbekovich Gutseriev | RemovalCouncil Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 and Decision 2012/642/CFSP (Belarus), as implemented by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2313 and Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/2312 | Date of birth: 9 Mar 1958Place of birth: Akmolinsk (now Astana), KazakhstanNationality: Russian | Deleted as entry 125 of Section A of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 and Decision 2012/642/CFSP further to an evaluation of the relevant circumstances. Listed under the Belarus regime since 21 June 2021. He remains subject to EU restrictive measures under Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 (Russia/Ukraine territorial integrity), listed 23 July 2026 (EU.14661.47) |
| Viktar Arkadzievich Shautsou | RemovalCouncil Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 and Decision 2012/642/CFSP (Belarus), as implemented by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2313 and Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/2312 | Date of birth: 5 Dec 1963Place of birth: Razumava village, BelarusNationality: BelarusianPassport: MP4572331 (issued 12 Feb 2021)Identifier: Personal ID 3051263A036PB7 | Deleted as entry 258 of Section A of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 and Decision 2012/642/CFSP further to an evaluation of the relevant circumstances. Listed under the Belarus regime since 5 August 2024. Not to be confused with Dzmitry Yauhenievich Shautsou (Belarus Red Cross), who remains listed by the EU, OFAC and Australia |
| Aboubacar Chérif Diakité | RemovalCouncil Regulation (EU) No 1284/2009 and Decision 2010/638/CFSP (Guinea), as amended by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2318 and Decision (CFSP) 2026/2317 | Address: Conakry, Guinea | Deleted as entry 4 of the Annex to Decision 2010/638/CFSP and Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 1284/2009 after the Council's review, which also extended the Guinea measures to 27 October 2027. Listing grounds were: Person identified by the International Commission of Inquiry as responsible for the 28 September 2009 events in Guinea. Listed by the EU since 27 October 2009. Remains on the UK Sanctions List under the Guinea regime (GUC0002) |
| Jean-Claude Pivi | RemovalCouncil Regulation (EU) No 1284/2009 and Decision 2010/638/CFSP (Guinea), as amended by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2318 and Decision (CFSP) 2026/2317 | Date of birth: 1 Jan 1960 | Deleted as entry 5 of the Annex to Decision 2010/638/CFSP and Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 1284/2009 after the Council's review, which also extended the Guinea measures to 27 October 2027. Listing grounds were: Person identified by the International Commission of Inquiry as responsible for the 28 September 2009 events in Guinea. Listed by the EU since 27 October 2009. Remains on the UK Sanctions List under the Guinea regime (GUC0004) |
What this means for your organisation
- 01
Block the 15 Cartel del Noreste parties: Load the names with their aliases (El Takia, Pancho Amador, CEGESA, Tamex Leasing, La Molienda Race Track), CURPs and Folio Mercantil numbers, and apply the 50 percent rule to companies they own.
- 02
Review northern Mexico exposure: Check fuel and gas distributors, construction contractors, hauliers (Tamex carries SCAC TLOJ and CAAT 7547) and horse-racing payments in Nuevo Laredo and Nuevo León; non-US banks should weigh the E.O. 13224 secondary sanctions risk on 13 of the parties.
- 03
Process the EU removals regime by regime: From 15 October, end only the EU Belarus entries for Gutseriev and Shautsou and the EU Guinea entries for Diakité and Pivi; keep Gutseriev's EU Russia, UK, Canadian and Australian listings, the UK Guinea listings, and Dzmitry Shautsou.
- 04
Measure your watchlist update time: Time how long a new OFAC designation takes to reach live screening, and confirm exact name and date-of-birth matches are worked first, the two failings OFAC found at Bank of America.
Where this issue came from
The map plots the sources Youverify monitors. The pulsing markers are the three authorities cited in this issue: US-OFAC, US Treasury and the Council of the European Union. Hover any marker to name the sources read there.
Method statement
The 15 OFAC parties are read verbatim from the SDN data files of 14 October and compared, record by record, with the 12 October files: 15 added, none removed or changed. Roles come from Treasury's press release of 13 October. The four EU removals are read from the Official Journal acts of 14 October, with entry numbers matched to the consolidated Guinea decision and particulars taken from the EU consolidated file. Every party was checked by name against the OFAC, EU, UK, Canadian and Australian lists.
Corrections
No corrections issued for this issue. Corrections are published on the issue they affect, dated, with the original text retained.Cite this issue
Vyra from Youverify. "Washington Targets Cartel del Noreste's Racetrack, Fuel and Construction Network as Brussels Lifts Four Listings." Youverify Sanctions Monitor, issue 146, 14 October 2026. https://youverify.co/en/sanctions/2026-10-14. Accessed 14 October 2026.