OFAC Sanctions Guatemala Drug Trafficking Group, Leaders
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned the Guatemala-based Los Pochos Drug Trafficking Organization, three of its members and four affiliated companies for their involvement in trafficking cocaine to the U.S.
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OFAC said it previously sanctioned Los Pochos in 2019 under the Kingpin Act, but the Feb. 28 announcement redesignates the group under a 2021 executive order that authorizes sanctions against people and entities contributing to international drug proliferation. OFAC said the new designation “places renewed attention” on Los Pochos “following a change in leadership and involvement of its members in local Guatemalan politics.”
The agency also sanctioned Juan Jose Morales Cifuentes, a Los Pochos leader since 2019 and cocaine distributor, along with his wife, Isel Aneli Suniga Morfin, who represented Guatemala as a Miss Universe contestant in 2017 and was recently elected the mayor of Ayutla, Guatemala. OFAC said she uses her position as mayor to support the drug trafficking group.
The U.S. also sanctioned Erick Manuel Ochoa Villagran, a Guatemala-based drug trafficker working for Morales Cifuentes and Los Pochos. OFAC said he is one of Morales Cifuentes’ “primary lieutenants” and helps store cocaine shipments.
The agency designated four entities owned or controlled by Los Pochos members. Importadora Jireh, a car dealership, and Construhogar, a hardware store, are owned or controlled by Morales Cifuentes. WIV Sociedad Anonima, an industrial parking lot, and Condado Real, a real estate company, are owned or controlled by Suniga Morfin.
OFAC released a Los Pochos organization chart with more information about the sanctioned people and companies.