The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated a Columbian alleged to be involved in significant drug trafficker as a Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker [SDNT] pursuant to Executive Order 12978. The Columbian, Francisco Antonio Florez Upegui (a.k.a. “Don Pacho”), was targeted along with 18 other individuals, as well as six entities located in Colombia and Guatemala that OFAC contends are part of a drug trafficking network fronted by Florez Upegui.

According to a press release from the Department of Treasury, Florez Upegui has ties to the Oficina de Envigado, an allegedly violent Medellin-based organized crime group accused of large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering activities in Colombia. OFAC’s aim in carrying out the designation is to freeze any assets a designee may have which would be subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Furthermore, OFAC’s actions work to prohibit all financial and commercial transactions by any U.S. person with the designated companies or individuals.

In October of 2008, Colombian authorities apprehended Florez Upegui and many of his senior associates. Their arrests by Colombian authorities came as part of Operation Titan, a major Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation. According to sources, Florez Upegui began his drug trafficking activities 30 years ago as a member of the Medellin Cartel. He is currently accused of engaging in drug trafficking activities worldwide.

Six entities which are thought to be controlled by Florez Upegui and his associates have also been designated including Florez Hermanos Ltda., a hotel services company; Inversiones Florez Y Florez Y Cia S.C.A., an agricultural and livestock business; Canales Venecia Ltda., a butcher shop; Almacen Futuro No.1, a clothing store; and Variedades Harb Sport, a sports-clothing company – all located in Medellin, Colombia. Comercial Jinan S.A., a sports store in Guatemala controlled by associate Chekri Mahmoud Harb, was also designated.

In addition to their designations, Florez Upegui and 14 of the individuals designated by OFAC today face drug trafficking and money laundering charges in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida under a July 2008 U.S. federal indictment.

It’s important for any U.S. person–meaning any one who is a citizen of the United States, living in the United States, or otherwise–to not engage in any transactions with Mr. Florez Upegui, his associates named in the designations, or any entity controlled by him and identified in this blog. Engaging in such activities may lead to the subjection of an OFAC investigation which may yield civil and/or criminal penalties.