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IMPORTANT ADVISORIES AND INFORMATION
OFAC Alert - Timeshare Fraud (March 02, 2023)
Sanctions Brochures
Sanctions Brochures are an overview of OFAC's regulations with regard to the Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions. They are useful quick reference tools.
Lists of Narcotics Traffickers
Frequently Asked Questions
OFAC has compiled hundreds of frequently asked questions (FAQs)about its sanctions programs and related policies. The links below send the user to OFAC's FAQ pages.
- OFAC Frequently Asked Questions
- Questions Related to Entities Owned by Persons Whose Property and Interests in Property are Blocked (50% Rule)
- Questions about Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List
Important Notices
- Statement on the Seizure of Seguros Continental S.A. by the Government of Honduras (October 22, 2015)
- Statement on the Proposed Liquidation of Banco Continental (October 11, 2015)
- Statement on the Felix Maduro Group (June 01, 2016)
Spanish translation:
- Declaración sobre el aseguramiento de Seguros Continental, S.A. por parte del Gobierno de Honduras (22 de octubre de 2015)
- Declaración sobre el Grupo Felix Maduro (01 de junio de 2016)
Interpretive Guidance
OFAC issues interpretive guidance on specific issues related to the sanctions programs it administers. These interpretations of OFAC policy are sometimes published in response to a public request for guidance or may be released proactively by OFAC in order to address a complex topic.
- Guidance on the Provision of Certain Services Relating to the Requirements of U.S. Sanctions Laws (January 12, 2017)
- Index of Interpretative Guidance
Applying for a Specific OFAC License
It may be in your and the U.S. government s interest to authorize particular economic activity related to Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions. Certain activities related to Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions may be allowed if they are licensed by OFAC. Visit the link below to apply for an OFAC license.
- Apply for an OFAC License Online - Authorization from OFAC to engage in a transaction that otherwise would be prohibited
General Licenses
OFAC issues general licenses in order to authorize activities that would otherwise be prohibited with regard to the Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions. General licenses allow all US persons to engage in the activity described in the general license without needing to apply for a specific license.
Guidance on OFAC Licensing Policy
Certain activities related to the Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions may be allowed if they are licensed by OFAC. Below OFAC has issued guidance and statements on specific licensing policies as they relate to the Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions.
- Licenses for Legal Fees and Costs - Guidance on the Release of Limited Amounts of Blocked Funds for Payment of Legal Fees and Costs Incurred in Challenging the Blocking of U.S. Persons in Administrative or Civil Proceedings
- Entities Owned By Blocked Persons - Guidance On Entities Owned By Persons Whose Property And Interests In Property Are Blocked
- Statement of Licensing Policy - Regarding Transactions of Three Colombian Entities Designated Pursuant to E.O. 12978
- Statement of Licensing Policy - Regarding Transactions of Six Colombian Entities Designated Pursuant to E.O. 12978
- Statement of Licensing Policy - Regarding Transactions of Two Colombian Entities Designated Pursuant to E.O. 12978
Impact Reports
OFAC occasionally produces reports that demonstrate the impact of economic sanctions. The report below is related to the impact of the Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions.
Press Charts
OFAC releases charts of the players in and structures of Narcotics Trafficking Organizations with its press releases.
2024 Press Charts
- CJNG Opioid Network - November 2024
- Sinaloa Cartel - September 2024
- CJNG Fuel Theft Network Individuals - September 2024
- CJNG Fuel Theft Network Entities - September 2024
- CJNG Timeshare Fraud Network Part 4 - July 2024
- La Nueva Familia Michoacana - June 2024
- Sinaloa Cartel - March 2024
- Los Pochos Drug Trafficking Organization - February 2024
2023 Press Charts
- Beltran Leyva Organization - December 2023
- CJNG Timeshare Fraud Network Part 3 - November 2023
- Gilbert Hernan Narcotics Trafficker - November 2023
- SINALOA CARTEL - Morgan Huerta et al. - November 2023
- SINALOA CARTEL Operators - August 2023
- El Ballouti Drug Trafficking Organization - July 2023
- SINALOA CARTEL - Zamudio Drug Trafficking Organization - July 2023
- CJNG Illicit Networks - June 2023
- SINALOA CARTEL - Guzman Lopez et al. - May 2023
- CJNG Timeshare Fraud Network Part 2 - April 2023
- CJNG Timeshare Fraud Network - March 2023
- CJNG Arms Trafficker - February 2023
- SINALOA CARTEL - Zamudio Drug Trafficking Organization - February 2023
- Jose Angel Rivera Zazueta Drug Trafficking Organization - January 2023
2022 Press Charts
- Jose Calderon Rijo Drug Trafficking Organization - December 2022
- La Nueva Familia Michoacana Drug Trafficking Organization - November 2022
- SINALOA CARTEL Valenzuela Drug Trafficking Organization - October 2022
- CJNG Arms Trafficker - July 2022
- CJNG Drug Trafficking Organization - June 2022
- Los Huistas Drug Trafficking Organization - March 2022
- CJNG Puerto Vallarta - February 2022
- Sanchez Farfan Drug Trafficking Organization - February 2022
2021 Press Charts
- CJNG Manzanillo - October 2021
- Valenzuela Valenzuela Drug Trafficking Organization - September 2021
- Musso Torres Drug Trafficking Organization - September 2021
- Gonzalez Penuelas Drug Trafficking Organization - May 2021
- CJNG Audias Flores Silva - April 2021
- CJNG Network - April 2021
- CJNG Juan Manuel Abouzaid El Bayeh - March 2021
2020 Press Charts
- Caro Quintero Organization - December 2020
- Taotao Zhang Network - August 2020
- Zheng Drug Trafficking Organization - July 2020
- CJNG and Los Cuinis Drug Trafficking Organizations - March 2020
2019 Press Charts
- Suniga Rodriguez Drug Trafficking Organization - December 2019
- Zheng Drug Trafficking Organization - August 2019
- Peralta Drug Trafficking Organization - August 2019
- GOLDPHARMA Drug Trafficking Organization - May 2019
- CJNG and Los Cuinis Drug Trafficking Organizations - May 2019
- Chams Money Laundering Organization - April 2019
- Hakimzada Network - February 2019
Archive of Press Charts from 2011-2018
Reports to the Congress
OFAC occasionally transmits reports to the Congress regarding the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.
- Identification of Kassem Chams (April 11, 2019)
- Identification of Jasmeet Hakimzada (February 20, 2019)
- Identification of Pedro Luis Zuleta Noscue Drug Trafficking Organization (October 18, 2018)
- Identification of Rincon Castillo Drug Trafficking Organization (June 05, 2018)
- Identification of Pedro Luis Martin Olivares (May 07, 2018)
- Identification of Jian Zhang Drug Trafficking Organization (April 27, 2018)
- Identification of Jose Luis Ruelas Torres and the Ruelas Torres Drug Trafficking Organization (May 24, 2017)
- Identification of Raul Flores Hernandez and the Flores Drug Trafficking Organization (August 09, 2017)
- Identification of Ali Khatib Haji Hassan and the Hassan Drug Trafficking Organization (March 09, 2016)
- Identification of Shining Path (Peru) (June 01, 2015)
Legal framework for the Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions
The Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions represent the implementation of multiple legal authorities. Some of these authorities are in the form an executive order issued by the President. Other authorities are public laws (statutes) passed by The Congress. These authorities are further codified by OFAC in its regulations which are published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Modifications to these regulations are posted in the Federal Register.
Executive Orders
- 12978 - Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers (Effective Date - October 22, 1995)
- 14059 - Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade (Effective Date - December 15, 2021)
Statutes
- Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, Pub. L. 114-198 § 801, 130 Stat. 755 (Jul. 22, 2016)
- Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, 21 U.S.C.§§ 1901-1908
- Fentanyl Sanctions Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 1790-1064
- International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 50 U.S.C.§§ 1701-1706
- National Emergencies Act (NEA), 50 U.S.C.§§ 1601-1651
Code of Federal Regulations
- 31 CFR Part 599 - Illicit Drug Trade Sanctions Regulations
- 31 CFR Part 598 - Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations
- 31 CFR Part 536 - Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions Regulations
Federal Register Notices
- 87 FR 78484-22 - Publication of Humanitarian Sanctions Regulations Amendment and General Licenses (Nongovernmental Organizations, Agricultural, and Medicine)
- 87 FR 78470-22 - Publication of United States Government and International Organizations Official Business Sanctions Regulations Amendment and General Licenses
- 87 FR 77711-22 - Publication of Illicit Drug Trade Sanctions Regulations
- 87 FR 73647-22 - Publication of Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations Web General License 1A and Subsequent Iterations
- 87 FR 73643-22 - Publication of Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 5, 6, and 7 and Subsequent Iterations
- 87 FR 73639-22 - Publication of Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations Web General License 4 and Subsequent Iterations
- 87 FR 73637-22 - Publication of Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 2, 3, 3A, and 3B
- 86 FR 26661-21 - Amendments to the Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions Regulations and Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations
- 80 FR 74835-15 - Publication of a General License Related to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Program
- 80 FR 29201-15 - Delegation of Functions Under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act
- 78 FR 33943-13 - Delegation of Functions Under Subsection 804(h)(2)(A) of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act
- 71 FR 29251-06 - Revisions to IEEPA made by the Combating Terrorism Financing Act of 2005
- 68 FR 61359-03 - Reporting, Procedures and Penalties Regulations; Iraqi Sanctions Regulations; Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations; Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations