The US Treasury sanctioned 21 people and 25 entities linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, including the ex-husband of Baja California's governor, it said on September 29.

The list reaches into state politics and policing in Baja California. Treasury described Carlos Alberto Torres Torres as a cartel-linked political operator. It also named his brother Luis Alfonso Torres Torres as manager of bribe payments.

Pedro Ariel Mendivil Garcia, a former Mexicali public security director, and Rafael Buenrostro Martin, a former customs and legislative adviser, are accused of receiving cartel payments and providing political favours. The designations follow earlier action against Mexican banks and add a layer of local officials and front companies.

Ismael Zambada Sicairos, known as "Mayito Flaco", heads the Los Mayos faction after his father's arrest in July 2024, Treasury said. He was born in Anaheim, California, and holds Mexican and US nationality. Treasury named four close associates: Hildegardo Gastelum Garcia, Jorge Luis Mendoza Uriarte, Francisco Javier Mendoza Uriarte and Lorenzo Castillo Maldonado.

In Tijuana, Alfonso and Rene Arzate Garcia are accused of controlling the border plaza. Their lieutenants Pedro Humberto Martinez Rodriguez, Jesus Rafael Yocupicio Yocupicio and Franklin Ernesto Huezo Hernandez were designated. OFAC re-listed the Arzate brothers, and Jose Angel Rivera Zazueta, under counterterrorism authority in addition to their existing narcotics designations.

Ilia Elizabeth Felix Rivera runs the Magic Casa de Cambio exchange house in Tijuana, which Treasury says moved bulk cash proceeds between US and Mexican networks. The 25 entities also include private security firms, fuel retailers, a restaurant, a bar and entertainment companies.

"Today's action underscores that no cartel kingpin, corrupt Mexican official, or financial facilitator is beyond the reach of Treasury's authorities," Bessent said.

Among the entities is Servicios Hoteleros Gastelum, a Culiacan hotel operator established in 2003 and linked to Gastelum Garcia.