US Treasury sanctions Hysa network and Mexican casinos for cartel-linked laundering
The action targets six family members and companies accused of moving Sinaloa Cartel funds through casino operations and shell entities.
The US Department of the Treasury has sanctioned the Hysa family business network and roughly 20 associated companies for alleged money laundering activities that benefited the Sinaloa Cartel.
According to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the organization operated through shell companies, simulated gambling activity, international transfers and payments routed through casinos.
The Albanian Hysa family and its commercial network now face financial restrictions under ongoing US efforts to target criminal groups linked to Mexican drug cartels.
The Treasury stated: “The Hysa organized crime group, comprised of Luftar, Arben, Ramiz, Fatos and Fabjon, has used its influence and investments in Mexico to launder drug trafficking proceeds. The group is believed to operate with the consent of the Sinaloa Cartel.”
US authorities have frozen the financial assets of six Hysa family members, Mexican associate Gilberto López, and approximately twenty affiliated companies in Mexico, Canada and Poland.
Investigators describe Luftar Hysa, 57, as a key figure who traveled regularly between Mexico and Canada. Arben Hysa is identified as the owner or director of multiple companies, while Fatos and Fabjon allegedly used a European-based corporate entity to channel illicit proceeds.
This is not the first time businesses linked to the Hysa family have been tied to drug trafficking allegations. In September 2022, Luftar Hysa publicly denied reports linking him to the Sinaloa Cartel and to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, stating: “I, Luftar Ali Hysa, never convicted, never prosecuted, never detained, declare that I have never had any problem with justice in my life. All my problems in life have been with injustice.”
Among the sanctioned entities are Bliri, Cucina Del Porto, Diversiones Los Mochis, El Arte de Cocinas y Beber, Entretenimiento Villahermosa, Grupo Internacional Canhysamex, H Hidrocarburos, Hysa Forwarders, LH Pro-Gaming, Procesadora de Alimentos HS, Rosetta Gaming and Hysa Holdings. The business network spans operations in Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora and Baja California.
FinCEN also scrutinized ten gambling establishments in Mexico. A Treasury document states that casinos including Midas, Emine, Mirage, Palermo and Skampa in Sonora, Sinaloa, Baja California and Tabasco facilitated laundering more than $2m between 2017 and 2024 through simulated bets and structured transactions.
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