US sanctions companies allegedly supplying precursor chemicals to Sinaloa cartel

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – The U.S. government on Monday identified eight individuals and a dozen companies allegedly supplying the Sinaloa cartel the illicit precursor chemicals they need to produce fentanyl.

They face Treasury Department sanctions that include blocking of assets, fines and criminal charges; any U.S. business or individuals doing business with them also are open to civil penalties and charges.

The named entities procure the fentanyl precursor chemicals to the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa cartel, the Treasury said. The businesses are run by a family clan and individuals allegedly identified as long-term associates of the Culiacan, Mexico, U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.

“Heavily invested in the trafficking of illicit fentanyl and methamphetamine, Los Chapitos have consistently procured precursor chemicals, overseen illicit laboratories, and managed drug distribution,” the Treasury said in its Monday announcement.

The chemical and laboratory equipment supplier Sumilab S.A. de C.V., is one of the businesses named. The Office of Foreign Assets Control had already sanctioned the company in 2023, but its operators changed signage, removed themselves from corporate filings and appointed officers amenable to their interests while still supplying precursor chemicals to the cartel, the Treasury alleges.

Four members of the Favela Lopez family, which runs the company, as well as two spouses, face sanctions for allegedly providing financial, material or technical support to the cartel.

According to international news reports, Sumilab is a Mexican federal government and Sinaloa state government private chemical contractor. A Mexican health agency, with the support of Mexican marines, temporarily closed the company for administrative health violations in January 2024, the Government of Mexico reported.

The Treasury sanctioned another six companies allegedly operated by the Favela Lopez clan. They include Agrolaren, Viand, Favelab, Fagalab, Qui Lab and Storelab.

The eighth company sanctioned, Macerlab, allegedly was run by a Favela Lopez “front person” named Cesar Elias Lopez Araujo, who was included in Monday’s sanctions.

The U.S. government identified the eighth alleged supplier as Martha Emilia Conde Uraga, aka “Martita.” She allegedly used multiple warehouses in the Culiacan area to store chemicals and engaged in “fraudulent invoicing.”

The Treasury associates her to four companies allegedly linked to the cartel: Viosma, Prolimph, Proveedora de Servicios de Salud del Pacifico, and Roco – a real estate company.

“Over 500,000 Americans have died of fentanyl poisoning,” Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley said in a statement announcing the sanctions and restating the Trump administration’s commitment to stopping fentanyl and other drugs from coming into the country. “The Treasury Department is committed to dismantling the complex financial networks that support these terrorist organizations.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center, the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tampa and Rocky Mountain field offices, and Homeland Security Investigation’s Newark, N.J., office participated in the investigation.