U.S. Slaps Sanctions On Cartel del Noroeste Leaders 'El Ricky' and 'Miguelón'

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced sanctions on two senior members of the Cartel del Noroeste (CDN) — formerly known as Los Zetas — as part of the Trump administration's efforts to quash Mexican criminal organizations.

Those targeted are Ricardo "El Ricky" González Sauceda and Miguel Ángel "Miguelón" de Anda Ledezma. They are high-ranking members of the cartel, which operates in the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Nuevo León. The organization is known for its involvement in drug, human and arms trafficking, money laundering and oil theft.

According to the Treasury Department, "Miguelón" oversees the procurement of firearms and ammunition for the cartel, along with payments to facilitators and straw purchasers in the United States. He is also accused of coordinating weapons deliveries to Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Authorities said González, on his end, led the cartel's armed wing, known as "Los Chukys," and served as CDN's second-in-command until his arrest by Mexican authorities in February 2025. He is accused of using trafficked weapons in attacks on Mexican police and military forces and has also been linked to drug trafficking operations.

"El Ricky" was taken into custody in connection with an August 2024 attack that killed two Mexican soldiers. González faces charges related to crimes against public health and the possession of weapons restricted for military use. He is being held at the maximum-security Altiplano prison.

"In working toward the total elimination of cartels to Make America Safe Again, the Trump administration will hold these terrorists accountable for their criminal activities and abhorrent acts of violence," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

"CDN and its leaders have carried out a violent campaign of intimidation, kidnapping and terrorism, threatening communities on both sides of our southern border. We will continue to cut off the cartels' ability to obtain the drugs, money and guns that enable their violent activities," he added.

As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property of the designated individuals within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked. U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them, with potential civil or criminal penalties for violations.