U.S. Sanctions Gulf Cartel Members Over Illegal Fishing

The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on members of the Gulf drug cartel, revealing their involvement in illegal fishing for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. The cartel utilizes fishing boats to facilitate not only drug and migrant smuggling but also the capture of valuable fish, exploiting the more abundant populations in U.S. waters due to strict fishing regulations. These operations are based out of Playa Bagdad, where the cartel sells their catch in Mexican border cities, often exporting it to the U.S. market. This illicit trade not only generates millions for the cartel but also poses significant threats to marine ecosystems. U.S. authorities regard the Gulf Cartel as one of Mexico's oldest and most dangerous criminal organizations, deeply entrenched in a range of illegal activities including human smuggling and drug trafficking. The situation exacerbates tensions along the U.S.-Mexico maritime border and raises concerns over environmental impacts in the Gulf.