International Trade Law News

On June 1, 2004, the Bush Administration designated 10 international drug traffickers from Mexico, India, Afghanistan, Jamaica and Peru as narcotics kingpins under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1901-1908, 8 U.S.C. 1182). The Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, commonly known as the "Kingpin Act", targets significant foreign narcotics traffickers, their organizations and operatives.

The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has added the 10 individuals to OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list as significant foreign narcotics traffickers ([SDNTK]s). As a result of this action, the individuals and their operatives will be denied access to the U.S financial system and their property in the U.S. will be blocked.

To date, the President has announced 48 Kingpins and the Department of the Treasury has announced a total of 66 derivative designations, 14 entities and 52 individuals. These entities and individuals are subject to the same sanctions that apply to kingpins. In addition, designated individuals and immediate family members who have knowingly benefited from the designated individuals' illicit activity will be denied visas to the United States.

A complete list of individuals and entities designated under the Kingpin Act and other U.S. sanctions programs can be found at www.treasury.gov/ofac.