Treasury targets Colombians under Kingpin Act

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced yesterday that it has designated longtime Colombian criminal Javier Garcia Rojas (alias "Maracuya") and two other Colombian nationals as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act) for their links to previously designated narcotics traffickers Jose Bayron Piedrahita Ceballos and the Colombian criminal group La Oficina de Envigado (La Oficina). OFAC also designated four Colombian companies owned, controlled, or directed by the individuals designated yesterday. As a result of that action, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions or otherwise dealing with these individuals and companies, and any assets they may have under U.S. jurisdiction are blocked. For identification information of the designated individuals and entities, see our OFAC Update.

"Since June 2000, more than 2,000 individuals and entities have been named pursuant to the Kingpin Act for their role in international narcotics trafficking. Penalties for violations of the Kingpin Act range from civil penalties of up to $1,437,153 per violation to more severe criminal penalties. Criminal penalties for corporate officers may include up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $5 million. Criminal fines for corporations may reach $10 million. Other individuals could face up to 10 years in prison and fines pursuant to Title 18 of the United States Code for criminal violations of the Kingpin Act."