The Gulf Cartel has expanded into illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing to fund its broader criminal enterprises. The cartel uses “lancha” boats to illegally harvest shark and red snapper from U.S. waters. The sanctions mark a significant action against the cartel, which is better known for its violent drug trafficking. The move is aimed at disrupting the cartel’s operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The U.s. Treasury Department has sanctioned five individuals linked to the cartel.
Source: OCCRP, 2024-11-29; https://www.occrp.org/en/news/us-targets-gulf-cartel-over-illegal-fishing