The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned two Mexico-based casino properties and their operator as part of an enforcement action targeting a money laundering and cash smuggling network linked to Cartel del Noreste.
The April 14 action names Casino Centenario in Nuevo Laredo, Diamante Casino, which also operates an online gambling website and Comercializadora y Arrendadora de Mexico, the entity Treasury identified as operating both properties.
According to OFAC, Casino Centenario was used by Cartel del Noreste as a location to store fentanyl pills and cocaine and as a channel to launder illicit proceeds through gaming activity. Treasury also said the property was used to intimidate alleged cartel enemies.
Casino Centenario was designated under Executive Order 14059 and Executive Order 13224, as amended, for materially assisting or supporting the cartel.
CAMSA was designated for providing support to Casino Centenario, while Diamante Casino was designated on the basis that it is owned, controlled or directed by CAMSA.
The wider sanctions package also targeted three individuals identified by Treasury as key facilitators of Cartel del Noreste operations in Nuevo Laredo, including Eduardo Javier Islas Valdez, Juan Pablo Penilla Rodriguez and Jesus Reymundo Ramos Vazquez.
Treasury said all property and interests in property of the designated persons that are in the United States, or in the possession or control of US persons, are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.
It added that entities owned 50% or more by blocked persons are also considered blocked, while US persons are generally prohibited from carrying out transactions involving those interests unless authorized or exempt.
OFAC also issued a general license covering transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to wind down operations involving CAMSA, Casino Centenario and Diamante Casino.
The action follows earlier Treasury measures against cartel-linked gaming businesses. In November 2025, US and Mexican authorities targeted 10 casinos and 27 individuals and entities as part of an organized crime crackdown tied to alleged money laundering in Mexico's gambling sector.
Diamante Casino operates a land-based venue in Tampico and an online gambling site under the same brand
