NEWS: MONEYVAL highlights gaps and improvements in North Macedonia AML regime

Regulatory Watch News

• 

  Treasury Disrupts Sinaloa Cartel Narco-Terrorist Fentanyl Trafficking Operations

  OFAC

  May 20, 2026

  WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned more than a dozen individuals and entities, comprising two distinct networks, linked to the terrorist Sinaloa Cartel and its fentanyl trafficking activities. Armando de Jesus Ojeda Aviles (Ojeda Aviles) leads a network involved in laundering the proceeds of fentanyl and other narcotics trafficking activities on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel.  Jesus Gonzalez Penuelas (Gonzalez Penuelas), a fugitive from justice, heads a longstanding organization involved in trafficking illicit drugs into the United States and laundering funds for the Sinaloa Cartel.  The violent Sinaloa Cartel is a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) responsible for a significant portion of the illicit fentanyl trafficked into the United States that kills tens of thousands of Americans each year.

• 

  Treasury Targets Flotilla Organizers and Muslim Brotherhood Networks Supporting Hamas

  OFAC

  May 19, 2026

  WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is taking action against four individuals associated with the pro-Hamas flotilla organized by the U.S.-designated Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) that is attempting to access Gaza in support of Hamas.  OFAC is also taking action against key actors operating within Hamas-aligned Muslim Brotherhood networks.  Hamas relies on a diverse web of international partners to expand its malign political influence, facilitate violent terrorist activity, and undermine international efforts to achieve lasting peace in Gaza.

• 

  Deutsche Bank AG Penalty

  OFSI

  May 19, 2026

  OFSI has imposed a £165,000 monetary penalty on Deutsche Bank AG London Branch (DBLB) for breaches of the Russia financial sanctions regime. 

  Between June and July 2022, DBLB processed two payments totalling £635,618.75 to an entity wholly owned by a designated person. 

  This is the second OFSI monetary penalty case resolved through settlement, demonstrating how proportionate and effective enforcement outcomes can support the rapid communication of compliance lessons to industry.