Treasury Extends Orders Targeting Money Laundering Risks Linked to Fentanyl Trafficking

The US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has extended the deadline for compliance with orders issued on 25 June 2025 under its new authority to counter fentanyl-related financial crime. The orders, which restrict certain cross-border fund transfers involving three Mexico-based institutions, will now take effect on 20 October 2025.

The enforcement action applies to CIBanco S.A., Institución de Banca Multiple (CIBanco), Intercam Banco S.A., Institución de Banca Multiple (Intercam), and Vector Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V. (Vector). FinCEN designated these firms as entities of primary money laundering concern due to their role in facilitating illicit opioid trafficking. The action forms part of the Fentanyl Sanctions Act and the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, both designed to disrupt the financial networks of transnational criminal organisations.

Jimmy Kirby, Deputy Director of FinCEN, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in fighting money laundering and narcotics finance:

Treasury and the Government of Mexico continue to make progress in joint efforts to safeguard our financial institutions and economies from terrorist cartels and their money laundering activities. This close partnership plays a critical role in Treasury’s comprehensive efforts to protect the US financial system from criminal abuse and target the financing of transnational criminal organisations and narcotics traffickers.

The extension reflects steps taken by Mexican authorities to strengthen anti-money laundering (AML) controls, including temporary management of the affected institutions to improve compliance and prevent illicit finance. Treasury has confirmed it will continue to monitor developments closely, working with Mexico to ensure long-term safeguards against fentanyl-related money laundering.

This latest measure underlines Washington’s wider strategy to combat financial crime, sanctions evasion, and narcotics trafficking, sending a clear message that institutions enabling the laundering of drug proceeds will face heightened regulatory scrutiny and restrictions.

Read the press release here.