World · Latin America · 1 hr ago
US sanctions horse-racing businesses linked to the Northeast Cartel
The US Treasury sanctioned four people and 11 entities over alleged links to Mexico’s Northeast Cartel.
US authorities say the cartel used horse racing to launder drug money, repeating a scheme previously used by Los Zetas.
From 2008 to 2012, cartel leaders bought and sold racehorses with drug proceeds and raced them in the United States, according to the Treasury.
Authorities uncovered part of that operation after seizing 455 quarter horses, racetracks and training centers in Oklahoma.
The sanctions include La Molienda, a racetrack near Nuevo Laredo, which the US government says the cartel controls and uses to earn money from racegoers and riders.
The government also alleges that businessman Gamaliel Garza García’s companies won public contracts and helped channel money to political campaigns favored by the cartel.
The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned four people and 11 entities linked to the Northeast Cartel.
The targets include a horse-racing track and businesses owned by businessman Gamaliel Garza García.
US authorities allege the cartel used horse racing and business contracts to launder money and exert influence in local government.
The government said the cartel adopted a horse-racing money-laundering scheme previously used by Los Zetas.
- Who
- The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned four people and 11 entities linked to the Northeast Cartel.
- What
- The sanctions targeted businesses including a horse-racing track and companies linked to businessman Gamaliel Garza García.
- When
- The article was published on October 13, 2026. The sanctions were announced by that date.
- Where
- The targeted businesses include operations in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, and Anáhuac, Nuevo León, Mexico.
- Why
- US authorities allege the businesses were linked to cartel money laundering and efforts to influence government contracts and elections.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Z-40 and Z-42 bought, sold, trained and raced horses in the United States using drug-trafficking money, according to OFAC.
Casino Centenario was flagged by US authorities for allegedly allowing criminal groups to launder money.
El Financiero reported that the United States had sanctioned four people and 11 entities linked to the Northeast Cartel.
- People sanctioned
- 4
- Entities sanctioned
- 11
- Horse-racing track
- Club La Molienda, outside Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas
- Businessman
- Gamaliel Garza García
- Past horse seizure
- 455 quarter horses were seized in Oklahoma, along with tracks and training centers
What people are saying
Between 2008 and 2012, Z-40 and Z-42 bought and sold racehorses with drug-trafficking money, and trained and raced them in the United States.
infiltrate local governments, influence public contracts and manipulate regional elections
Sources
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