The US has sanctioned a Mexican horseracing venue linked by officials to Cartel del Noreste, while Turkish authorities have detained 102 people in a separate illegal betting investigation. Both actions were announced on 13 October and concern alleged financial activity around gambling.
The US Treasury designated four individuals and 11 entities connected to the cartel, including Club La Molienda near Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. Treasury described La Molienda as a racetrack, restaurant and bar controlled by the group. It said entrance fees paid by horse owners and spectators generate revenue for the cartel.
Treasury also identified a former betting arrangement involving Casino Centenario. Before the casino's operations were suspended in April 2026, customers could place bets there on races run at La Molienda. The announcement does not say that the arrangement remains active, and La Molienda itself is not described as a casino.
The designations block any property and interests in property of the named parties that are in the US or held by US persons. US persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them. Treasury imposed the measures under two executive orders used against narcotics trafficking and terrorism-related activity.
In Turkey, Anadolu Agency reported an Interior Ministry announcement of operations centred on Batman and extending to 12 other provinces. The 102 people were detained as suspects. No conviction was announced in the ministry's account.
Investigators identified TRY8.5bn ($172.2m) in account movements associated with the suspected network, according to the ministry. This is the value of transactions examined, rather than an amount seized or confirmed as illegal betting revenue.
Officials allege the group used electronic money infrastructure and software to move and conceal funds linked to illegal online wagering.
The investigation was coordinated by the Batman Chief Prosecutor's Office with provincial gendarmerie, cybercrime and financial intelligence units. Turkish officials have not reported any connection between that investigation and the US sanctions against the Mexican venue.
In April, US sanctions also reached Casino Centenario and Diamante Casino, placing the earlier La Molienda betting arrangement in the context of a wider Treasury action in Tamaulipas.
US sanctions generally bar US persons from dealing with the designated parties and freeze any property they hold under US jurisdiction
