US Impose Sanctions on Mexican National Naim Libien Tella

Washington, Dec 17 (IANS) The US Treasury Department announced its decision to impose sanctions on a Mexican national and four other entities, including two newspapers, over drug trafficking.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Treasury Department accused Naim Libien Tella of providing support to the Los Cuinis Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) and its leader, Abigael Gonzalez Valencia, Xinhua news agency reported.

The entities designated Wednesday, including the Mexico City-based newspaper Unomasuno, were also accused of having provided support to the drug trafficking activities of the Los Cuinis DTO, the statement said.

The other companies sanctioned are Toluca-based businesses Diario Amanecer, a Mexican newspaper, and Aerolineas Amanecer, an air taxi company. Both entities are related to Libien Tella.

As a result of the action, any assets these designees may have under US jurisdiction are frozen, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

"The action demonstrates that Treasury, along with its partners in DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) and the Mexican government, will continue to expose and target those who support narcotics traffickers," said John Smith, acting Director of Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.