US Sanctions Crypto Launderers; Venezuela Shuts 4,000-ASIC Farm
OFAC sanctions six people and two companies for laundering Sinaloa Cartel drug proceeds via cryptocurrency; Venezuela dismantles a 4,000-ASIC mining farm in Aragua.
On May 25, 2026, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated six individuals and two companies for allegedly laundering drug-sale proceeds for the Sinaloa Cartel through cryptocurrency.
OFAC identified Armando de Jesus Ojeda Aviles as the head of the alleged network and named Jesus Alonso Aispuro Felix, Rodrigo Alarcon Palomares, Alfredo Orozco Romero, Amalia Margarita Romero Moreno and Liliana Orozco Romero among the designated people. The agency also targeted security firm Grupo Especial Mamba Negra and the Chihuahua-based restaurant Gorditas Chiwas.
U.S. officials say the group organized bulk cash collections from sales of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, processed the cash and converted it into cryptocurrency for transfer to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. OFAC’s designations block any property or interests in property of the listed parties under U.S. jurisdiction and generally bar U.S. persons from transacting with them.
In Venezuela, security forces working with the Criminal Investigations Corps (CICPC) located and dismantled a cryptocurrency megafarm in Aragua state that authorities say housed about 4,000 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) miners. Officials estimated the site could have drawn as much as 10,000 megawatts and said the unauthorized load contributed to structural damage in the local power network.
Venezuelan government statements said the operation enforced prohibitions on unapproved crypto-mining installations and removed a continuous, high-power draw that strained transmission and distribution infrastructure. Authorities noted the action came as energy use reached a nine-year high amid a prolonged heat wave and as blackouts have affected residents in several regions.
In Brazil, Bradesco announced plans to enter the digital-asset custody market. Renata Petrovic, head of innovation at Bradesco, confirmed the bank created an internal structure for digital assets and secured an undisclosed partner to provide custody services for tokens, cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. Bradesco operates more than 5,300 branches.
The OFAC designations and the Venezuelan raid were announced this week.
The material on GNcrypto is intended solely for informational use and must not be regarded as financial advice. We make every effort to keep the content accurate and current, but we cannot warrant its precision, completeness, or reliability. GNcrypto does not take responsibility for any mistakes, omissions, or financial losses resulting from reliance on this information. Any actions you take based on this content are done at your own risk. Always conduct independent research and seek guidance from a qualified specialist. For further details, please review our Terms, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers.
Articles by this author
