OFAC sanctions Colombian cocaine trafficking ring

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (‘OFAC’) has designated two individuals and one entity in connection with a Colombian cocaine trafficking ring.

Aldemar Ruano Yandun, Onofre Junior Aguiño Arboleda and the Ruano Yandun drug trafficking organisation have been designated under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act) for their role in international narcotics trafficking. In January, Ruano Yandun and Aguino Arboleda were indicted by a grand jury in the Eastern District of New York on federal charges of international cocaine distribution conspiracy.

‘Treasury is targeting drug kingpin Ruano Yandun and his criminal organization, as they continue to smuggle and distribute tons of cocaine from Colombia through Central America and into our communities,’ said OFAC Director John E. Smith.  ‘We are freezing assets and cutting them off from the financial system to send a strong message to Ruano Yandun and other criminals who export poison and violence across our borders that we intend to target and dismantle these illicit networks.’

Since the act came into force in December 1999 more than 2,000 entities and individuals have been designated for international narcotics trafficking.

OFAC’s press release can be found here:
https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0224.aspx

OFAC’s Notice can be found here:
https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20171129.aspx