meta_id 3421096

On August 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 15 Ecuador-based targets and identified 10 vessels as blocked property involved in smuggling thousands of kilograms of cocaine monthly from South America to Mexico for distribution in the United States. The network's members are affiliated with Los Choneros and Los Lobos, two of Ecuador's most violent Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) with ties to Mexican FTOs including the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). Operating under the guise of legitimate fishing businesses near Manta, Ecuador, the network covertly transfers cocaine to go-fast vessels transiting the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPAC) toward the United States. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the action targets "narcoterrorist networks that profit from poisoning Americans." The designations reflect a unified whole-of-government effort coordinated with the Homeland Security Task Force, representing nearly 30 actions against over 300 individuals and entities since the beginning of 2025. The action forms part of Operation Pacific Viper, a U.S. Coast Guard counter-drug campaign launched in August 2025. As of June 2026, the operation seized more than 225,000 pounds of cocaine in the EPAC. OFAC designated individuals including Alfonso Mero Mero and his sons pursuant to Executive Order 14059 for engaging in activities materially contributing to international drug proliferation. Designated entities include Arcasdenoe, S.A. and six entities controlled by Jimmy Leonidas Alarcon Holguin. As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of designated or blocked persons in the United States or under U.S. control are frozen. Violations of sanctions may result in civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons.