The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued a Geographic Targeting Order (GTO) aimed at curbing illicit activities and money laundering by Mexico-based cartels and other criminal entities along the southwest border of the United States. This order mandates that all money services businesses (MSBs) in 30 ZIP codes across California and Texas must file Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) with FinCEN for cash transactions exceeding $200.
“Today’s issuance of this GTO underscores our deep concern with the significant risk to the U.S. financial system of the cartels, drug traffickers, and other criminal actors along the Southwest border,” stated Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. He emphasized that this action is part of a broader government effort to combat these threats by utilizing all available tools and authorities.
The administration prioritizes combating drug cartels and preventing deadly drugs from entering the United States. In January, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to designate certain cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) or Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). Following this, in February, eight organizations, including six major Mexico-based drug cartels, were designated as FTOs and SDGTs by the U.S. Departments of Treasury and State. These designations aim to restrict access to the U.S. financial system for individuals and entities associated with these groups.
The GTO will take effect 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register and will remain effective for 179 days thereafter.
The order applies to specific ZIP codes within seven counties in California and Texas:
– Imperial County, California: 92231, 92249, 92281, 92283
– San Diego County, California: 91910, 92101, 92113, 92117, 92126, 92154, 92173
– Cameron County, Texas: 78520, 78521
– El Paso County, Texas: 79901 through 79907; also includes ZIP code 79935
– Hidalgo County, Texas: includes several ZIP codes such as 78503 through 78596
– Maverick County, Texas: includes ZIP code 78852
– Webb County, Texas: covers multiple ZIP codes including but not limited to those starting with “7804”
FinCEN acknowledges MSBs’ role in protecting against cartel-related activities like fentanyl trafficking while safeguarding the U.S. financial system.
For inquiries regarding the GTO visit www.fincen.gov/contact.
A copy of the GTO is available online.
