By PAUL O’DONOGHUE, Senior Correspondent
FINCEN has issued an expanded Geographic Targeting Order (GTO) targeting money laundering linked to Mexico-based cartels along the U.S. southwest border.
The order places additional reporting requirements on certain money services businesses (MSBs).
MSBs must file Currency Transaction Reports with FinCEN for cash transactions between $1,000 and $10,000. It covers activity in designated counties and ZIP codes.
The order covers the following geographic locations in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas:
- Maricopa County, Arizona
- Pima County, Arizona
- Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Yuma County, Arizona
- California ZIP Codes (all within Imperial County): 92231, 92249, 92281, 92283
- California ZIP Codes (all within San Diego County): 91910, 92101, 92113, 92117, 92126, 92154, 92173
- Bernalillo County, New Mexico
- Doña Ana County, New Mexico
- San Juan County, New Mexico
- Cameron County, Texas
- El Paso County, Texas
- Hidalgo County, Texas
- Maverick County, Texas
- Webb County, Texas
The order took effect on March 7, 2026. Itt will remain in force until September 2, 2026. Businesses newly covered by the measure have a 30-day compliance period. They must begin filing reports by April 6, 2026.
FinCEN has also extended the reporting deadline for Currency Transaction Reports from 15 days to 30 days during the order.
Any questions about the GTO should be directed to www.fincen.gov/contact.
A copy of the GTO is available [HERE].
Southwest GTO background
Officials said the measure will give investigators faster access to financial data linked to suspected criminal activity. Authorities added that the measure will help deny individuals linked to drug trafficking organisations access to the U.S. financial system.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said: “President Trump has directed his Administration to pursue the total elimination of terrorist drug cartels to keep Americans safe.
“For too long, cartels have abused the U.S. financial system to profit from poisoning Americans with deadly fentanyl. At Treasury, we are expanding our efforts to keep drug money out of the United States and to provide law enforcement with additional information to put these traffickers behind bars.”
The renewed and expanded GTO reflects what officials described as a significant risk to the U.S. financial system. Authorities say cartels, drug traffickers, and other criminal groups continue to operate along the southwest border.
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