U.S. Treasury Launches Sweeping Enforcement Against Border Money Services Linked to Cartel Crime

By Jim Mishler | Tuesday, December 23, 2025

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has launched an enforcement operation targeting more than 100 money services businesses operating along the southwestern border region.

These firms are being accused of potential violations tied to money laundering and illicit financial activities linked to criminal enterprises.

The initiative is spearheaded by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which oversees compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act for nonbank financial institutions, including money transmitters, currency exchangers, and check cashers.

Treasury officials stated that the review focuses on businesses in high-risk areas near the U.S.-Mexico border that may be exposed to proceeds from drug trafficking, human smuggling, and other illicit activities.

According to FinCEN, the operation has already generated six notices of investigation, dozens of examination referrals to the Internal Revenue Service, and more than 50 compliance outreach letters.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the enforcement effort follows direct directives from President Donald Trump to disrupt cartel-related financial operations and strengthen border security measures.

The Treasury emphasized that these actions address vulnerabilities created by money services businesses allegedly noncompliant with federal anti-money-laundering laws.

FinCEN reported the operation relies on analysis of more than 1 million Currency Transaction Reports and approximately 87,000 Suspicious Activity Reports submitted by financial institutions nationwide.

The Treasury warned ongoing reviews could lead to civil penalties, injunctions, warning letters, or referrals to criminal authorities for willful violations of the Bank Secrecy Act.

FinCEN noted coordination with the Homeland Security Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service, and state and federal law enforcement agencies is underway.

Advanced data processing technology is being utilized to identify illicit financial networks and convert vast volumes of transaction data into actionable investigative leads.

This southwestern border initiative follows a separate Treasury action taken in mid-November targeting cartel-related money laundering networks operating across Mexico and Europe.

In that November effort, the Office of Foreign Assets Control and FinCEN, working with Mexican authorities, sanctioned 27 individuals and entities tied to the Hysa Organized Crime Group and proposed measures to sever access for 10 Mexico-based gambling establishments from the U.S. financial system.

Treasury officials stated the group used gambling venues and other businesses to launder narcotics trafficking proceeds in collaboration with the Sinaloa Cartel.

As part of the November action, FinCEN suggested implementing USA PATRIOT Act restrictions that would block U.S. financial institutions from processing transactions involving designated gambling establishments while imposing enhanced due diligence requirements.

The Treasury indicated the November enforcement measures reflect increased U.S.-Mexico cooperation to combat narcotrafficking and cartel-related financial crime.