U.S. Sanctions Imprisoned Cartel Boss for Fuel Theft

The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned a violent Mexican cartel and its leader for stealing oil and gas. The action targets the "Huachicoleros" cartel and its imprisoned boss, José Antonio "El Marro" Yépez Ortiz. The sanctions are part of a broader U.S. government effort to disrupt cartel operations. Officials say the groups use profits from stolen fuel to fund wider criminal activities. The measures freeze any U.S. assets belonging to Yépez Ortiz and his organization. They also prohibit American citizens and companies from doing business with them. Yépez Ortiz is currently in Mexican custody. He faces charges of fuel theft, organized crime, and murder in Mexico. This move aims to cut off a major revenue source for the cartel. Fuel theft costs Mexico's state oil company billions of dollars annually.