BajaNomad

U.S. Treasury Designates Money Laundering Cell

Anonymous - 1-13-2005 at 06:31 PM

http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js2191.htm

January 12, 2005
JS-2191

The U.S. Department of the Treasury today identified 15 companies and 24 individuals associated with a money laundering cell of the Arellano Felix Organization (AFO), a violent drug trafficking ring operating out of Mexico.

"Over a three year period, this cell laundered more than $120 million in illicit proceeds from the sale of narcotics," said Robert Werner, Director of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). "By freezing these individuals and companies out of the U.S. financial system, we are dealing a significant blow to the fiscal underbelly fueling the notorious drug trade of the Arellano Felix Organization."

OFAC added the names of these 39 entities to its list of persons designated pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act). AFO, which was named as a drug kingpin by President Bush on June 1, 2004, is based in Tijuana, a large city in the Mexican state of Baja California which borders the United States.

This money laundering cell was developed by Ivonne Soto Vega, also known as "La Pantera" (the Panther), and Jose Manuel Ruelas Martinez, who were designated today. The cell is involved in an AFO money laundering scheme centered on the use of casas de cambio, or currency exchange houses. These front companies launder U.S. currency illicitly earned through narcotics sales in the United States and bulk smuggled into Mexico. Soto Vega and Ruelas Martinez are both in the custody of Mexican authorities awaiting trial on charges stemming from their involvement with the AFO.

In Tijuana, the cell consisted of several currency exchange houses including Centro Cambiario Kino, S.A. de C.V., GS Plus Consultores S.A. de C.V., and Multiservicios Gamal S.A. de C.V. The cell also has a presence in Guadalajara with Grupo Gamal, S.A. de C.V. In addition to currency exchange houses, the cell also includes Casa de Empeno Rio Tijuana, S.A. de C.V., a pawn shop in Tijuana, and Hacienda de Don Jose Restaurant Bar, S.A. de C.V., a restaurant and bar supply company also located in Tijuana.

"Today's action is a testament to our collaboration with the San Diego office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)," said Werner. "OFAC remains committed to working with our partners in the U.S. Government and our foreign law enforcement counterparts to expose front companies controlled by drug cartels in Mexico and around the globe."

This action prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in financial and commercial transactions with the designees and freezes any assets of the designees found in the United States.

The action taken today follows the designation of six lieutenants of the AFO in November 2004. The 39 new names bring the total number of Tier I and Tier II Kingpins under the Kingpin Act to 160: 48 drug kingpins worldwide, 30 companies in Mexico, Peru, and the Caribbean, and 82 other individuals in Mexico, Colombia and the Caribbean.

This action is part of the ongoing interagency effort of the Treasury, Justice, State, Defense and Homeland Security Departments, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration to carry out the Kingpin Act. Signed into law on December 3, 1999, the Kingpin Act applies economic sanctions against narcotics traffickers on a worldwide basis. The Kingpin Act was modeled after Executive Order 12978, which applies economic sanctions against narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia and which is also administered by OFAC.

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A diagram of the individuals and companies named by OFAC:
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/reports/0115afotierii.pd...

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A complete list of the entities designated today:

The following have been added to OFAC's SDN list as "[SDNTK]s" without the a.k.a.s listed as separate entries in this Bulletin:

AGUILAR TORRES, Evangelina, c/o CASA DE EMPENO RIO TIJUANA, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 2 May 1956; POB Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (individual) [SDNTK]

ALVAREZ HERNANDEZ, Maria Teresa, c/o CONSULTORIA DE OCCIDENTE, S.A. DE C.V., Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; c/o GS PLUS CONSULTORES, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 25 Jul 1960; POB Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; R.F.C. AAHT-600725-4L7 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK]

ARMENTA ZAVALA, Arnoldo Humberto, Av. Pte. A. de Sta. Na. 21741, Colonia Infonavit Presidentes, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22576, Mexico; c/o CASA DE EMPENO RIO TIJUANA, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 12 Nov 1971; R.F.C. AEZA-711112-AA5 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK]

BECERRA RODRIGUEZ, Mario Alberto, Calle del Creston 334, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22300, Mexico; c/o CASA DE EMPENO RIO TIJUANA, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o MULTISERVICIOS DEL NOROESTE DE MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 17 Sep 1954; POB Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; R.F.C. BERM-540917-181 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK]

CARRILLO CUEVAS, Mario Alberto, Calle Lago Chaira 323, Colonia Vista Dorada, Ensenada, Baja California CP 22800, Mexico; c/o CASA DE EMPENO RIO TIJUANA, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 11 Sep 1980; POB Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico (individual) [SDNTK]

DELGADO GUTIERREZ, Elias, c/o CONSULTORIA DE INTERDIVISAS, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Calle Ramon Lopez Velarde 36, Colonia Reforma, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22620, Mexico; c/o CENTRO CAMBIARIO KINO, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o GS PLUS CONSULTORES, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o M Q CONSULTORES, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 26 Feb 1964; R.F.C. DEGE-640226-3W9 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK]

DONO MORALES, Edman Manuel, Privada Niza 3617 Int. 2, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o GRUPO GAMAL, S.A. DE C.V., Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; c/o GS PLUS CONSULTORES, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 20 Jul 1966; POB Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (individual) [SDNTK]

ESCOBEDO MORALES, Sandra Angelica, c/o CENTRO CAMBIARIO KINO, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o CONSULTORIA DE INTERDIVISAS, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o MULTISERVICIOS ALPHA, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 25 Dec 1966; POB Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (individual) [SDNTK]

GONZALEZ MUNOZ, Daniel, c/o MEGA DOLAR, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Blvd. Cuahutemoc 1499 L C 7BI, Colonia Zona Rio, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Calle Carrasco 3895 No. 2, Chapultepec, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o MULTISERVICIOS BRAVIO, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o MULTISERVICIOS DEL NOROESTE DE MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 20 Jun 1958; POB Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico; R.F.C. GOMD-580620-SX9 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK]

MARTINEZ PLAZA, Omar Axel, c/o MULTISERVICIOS SIGLO, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 4 Aug 1972; POB Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico (individual) [SDNTK]

PEREIRA BERUMEN, Luis Miguel, c/o MULTISERVICIOS GAMAL, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Calle Relampago 1136 Secc. Dorado, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 10 Sep 1975 (individual) [SDNTK]

PEREZ ELIAS, Sofia, c/o MULTISERVICIOS ALPHA, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Calle Oslo 3692, Colonia Playas Costa Azul, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22250, Mexico; c/o HACIENDA DE DON JOSE RESTAURANT BAR, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 10 Oct 1973; POB Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (individual) [SDNTK]

QUINTERO HERNANDEZ, Miguel Angel, Calle Ventisca 2359 Secc. Dorado, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o M Q CONSULTORES, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 22 Oct 1970; POB Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; R.F.C. QUHM-701022-TL3 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK]

RUELAS MARTINEZ, Felipe, Calle Ventisca 2359 Secc. Dorado, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Calle Saino 5, Colonia Hacienda del Tepeyac, Zapopan, Jalisco CP 45053, Mexico; DOB 6 Jun 1962 (individual) [SDNTK]

RUELAS MARTINEZ, Jose de la Cruz, c/o CONSULTORIA DE INTERDIVISAS, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Calle de la Ventisca 640, Colonia Playas Seccion Dorado, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22205, Mexico; Calle Ventisca 2359 Secc. Dorado, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o MULTISERVICIOS ALPHA, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 30 Mar 1965; POB Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; Passport 01020023629 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK]

RUELAS MARTINEZ, Jose Manuel, Av. Pque. Mexico Nte. 824, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22200, Mexico; Esmeralda 3091, Colonia Residencial Victoria CR 45051, Zapopan, Jalisco CP 44550, Mexico; 402 Milagrosa Circle, Chula Vista, CA 91910; c/o GLOBAL FILMS, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o HACIENDA DE DON JOSE RESTAURANT BAR, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o MULTISERVICIOS ALPHA, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o MULTISERVICIOS GAMAL, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o MULTISERVICIOS SIGLO, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 16 Jun 1960; POB Talpa de Allende, Jalisco, Mexico; alt. POB Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; Passport 036182282 (United States); R.F.C. RUMM-600616-G69 (Mexico); SSN 622-18-0486 (United States) (individual) [SDNTK]

RUELAS TOPETE, Carlos Antonio, Calle de la Bahia 3178, Colonia Playas Costa Hermosa, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22240, Mexico; Calle Ventisca 2359 Secc. Dorado, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o HACIENDA DE DON JOSE RESTAURANT BAR, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 12 Aug 1968; POB Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; R.F.C. RUTC-680812-PS6 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK]

RUELAS TOPETE, Eduardo, c/o CONSULTORIA DE OCCIDENTE, S.A. DE C.V., Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; Ave. Pque. Mexico Sur 910, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22200, Mexico; Calle del Volcan 682, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22200, Mexico; c/o HACIENDA DE DON JOSE RESTAURANT BAR, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 20 Feb 1967; POB Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; R.F.C. RUTE-670220-DVO (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK]

RUELAS TOPETE, Jose Luis, c/o CONSULTORIA DE OCCIDENTE, S.A. DE C.V., Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; DOB 13 Aug 1970; POB Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; R.F.C. RUTL-700813-L31 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK]

SANCHEZ CURIEL, Silvia Patricia, c/o M Q CONSULTORES, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 28 Sep 1976; POB Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (individual) [SDNTK]

SANCHEZ OSUNA, Carlos Alberto, Blvd. Industrial 1700, Colonia Otay Tecnologico, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o GRUPO GAMAL, S.A. DE C.V., Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; DOB 29 Mar 1971 (individual) [SDNTK]

SOTO VEGA, Ivonne (a.k.a. SOTO DE GOMEZ, Ivonne; a.k.a. SOTO VEGA DE GOMEZ, Ivonne; a.k.a. "LA PANTERA"), Ave. Las Conchas 643, Colonia Playas de Tijuana Secc. Coronado, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22200, Mexico; Pso. Centenario 9971, Colonia Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22320, Mexico; c/o MULTISERVICIOS SIGLO, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 22 Oct 1953; alt. DOB 25 Oct 1953; POB Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; R.F.C. SOVI-531022-QIA (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK]

VELAZQUEZ HERNANDEZ, Juan Gabriel, Callejon Revolucion 1050, Colonia Zona Centro, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o GS PLUS CONSULTORES, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 20 Mar 1975; POB Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (individual) [SDNTK]

VILLASENOR COVARRUBIAS, Jorge Miguel, Prv. Montecarlo 12106, Colonia Res. Agua Caliente, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22480, Mexico; Av. de las Rocas 1548, Fracc. Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Av. Via Rapida S/N, Colonia Zona Rio, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; c/o MULTISERVICIOS BRAVIO, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; DOB 31 May 1948; POB Distrito Federal, Mexico; R.F.C. VICJ-480531-RJ7 (Mexico) (individual) [SDNTK]

The following entities have been added to OFAC's SDN list:

CASA DE EMPENO RIO TIJUANA, S.A. DE C.V., Paseo de los Heroes, No. 98 Loc. 14 D C, Colonia Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22010, Mexico [SDNTK]

CENTRO CAMBIARIO KINO, S.A. DE C.V. (a.k.a. GAMAL-MULTISERVICIOS), Av. Independencia 1 Plaza Padre Kino, Local 11, Zona Rio, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22320, Mexico; Carretera Aeropuerto 1900, Local G-16, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22510, Mexico; R.F.C. CCK-010928-5C0 (Mexico) [SDNTK]

CONSULTORIA DE INTERDIVISAS, S.A. DE C.V., Carretera Aeropuerto 1900, Centro Comercial Otay, Local G-16, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22500, Mexico; R.F.C. CIN-010123-MX9 (Mexico) [SDNTK]

CONSULTORIA DE OCCIDENTE, S.A. DE C.V., Paseo de Ensenada 170, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22200, Mexico; Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico [SDNTK]

GLOBAL FILMS, S.A. DE C.V., Blvd. Fundadores 104-11A, Colonia Valle del Rubi, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; R.F.C. GFI-961219-9J4 (Mexico) [SDNTK]

GRUPO GAMAL, S.A. DE C.V., Av. La Paz 1951, Guadalajara, Jalisco CP 44160, Mexico [SDNTK]

GS PLUS CONSULTORES, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; R.F.C. GPC-011226-4A5 (Mexico) [SDNTK]

HACIENDA DE DON JOSE RESTAURANT BAR, S.A. DE C.V., Av. del Rocio 1193, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22200, Mexico [SDNTK]

M Q CONSULTORES, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; R.F.C. MQC-020611-6Y9 (Mexico) [SDNTK]

MEGA DOLAR, S.A. DE C.V. (a.k.a. MEGA DOLAR MULTISERVICIOS), Local C-25 Plaza Rio, Colonia Zona Rio, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Av. Via Rapida 25-E, Colonia Zona Rio, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; R.F.C. MDO-940316-RTA (Mexico) [SDNTK]

MULTISERVICIOS ALPHA, S.A. DE C.V., Av. Allende 1197, Colonia Independencia, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Paseo Playas 24-2, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; R.F.C. MAL-960401-I35 (Mexico) [SDNTK]

MULTISERVICIOS BRAVIO, S.A. DE C.V. (a.k.a. BRAVIO ARMORED GROUP), Local C-25 Plaza Rio, Colonia Zona Rio, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Av. Via Rapida 26, Colonia Zona Rio, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; R.F.C. MBR-961115-4M6 (Mexico) [SDNTK]

MULTISERVICIOS DEL NOROESTE DE MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V., Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico [SDNTK]

MULTISERVICIOS GAMAL, S.A. DE C.V. (a.k.a. CASA DE CAMBIO RUBI), Av. Federico Benitez 6400-52, Colonia Yamille, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Paseo Estrella Del Mar 359, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22200, Mexico; Blvd. Fundadores 5343-22, Colonia El Rubi, Tijuana, Baja California CP 22180, Mexico; Paseo Ensenada S/N D11, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Paseo Playas 24-2, Colonia Playas de Tijuana, Tijuana, Mexico, Mexico; R.F.C. MGA-940615-SC3 (Mexico) [SDNTK]

MULTISERVICIOS SIGLO, S.A. DE C.V., Carretera Aeropuerto 1900-16G, Colonia Otay, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Paseo Tijuana 10126-A, Colonia Zona Rio, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; R.F.C. MSI-960220-Q84 (Mexico) [SDNTK]