OFAC Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions
OFAC Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions is a sanctions program maintained by Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). It imposes asset freeze, financial restrictions and trade restrictions.
Last updated 12 Jun 2026
Overview
Sanctions program targeting foreign persons involved in the global illicit drug trade, including narcotics traffickers, drug trafficking organizations, and those providing financial, material, or technological support to such activities. Implemented under multiple legal authorities including the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act and related executive orders.
Legal bases
- Executive Order 14157 - Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (January 20, 2025)
- Executive Order 14059 - Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade (December 15, 2021)
- Executive Order 12978 - Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers (October 22, 1995)
- Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, Pub. L. 114-198 § 801 (Jul. 22, 2016)
- Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 1901-1908
- Fentanyl Sanctions Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 1790-1064
- International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701-1706
- National Emergencies Act (NEA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1601-1651
- 31 CFR Part 599 - Illicit Drug Trade Sanctions Regulations
- 31 CFR Part 598 - Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations
- 31 CFR Part 536 - Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions Regulations
Official resources
EO 14157 - Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists
EO 14059 - Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade
EO 12978 - Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers
OFAC Alert: International Cartels Designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists
OFAC Alert: Timeshare Fraud
Statement on the Felix Maduro Group
Guidance on the Provision of Certain Services Relating to the Requirements of U.S. Sanctions Laws
Overview of Sanctions - Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions
OFAC Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Related to Entities Owned by Persons Whose Property and Interests in Property are Blocked (50% Rule)
Questions about Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List
Licenses for Legal Fees and Costs - Guidance on the Release of Limited Amounts of Blocked Funds
Entities Owned by Blocked Persons - Guidance on Entities Owned by Persons Whose Property and Interests in Property Are Blocked
Impact Report on Economic Sanctions Against Colombian Drug Cartels
Publication of Illicit Drug Trade Sanctions Regulations
Publication of a Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations and Illicit Drug Trade Sanctions Regulations Web General License
Publication of Humanitarian Sanctions Regulations Amendment and General Licenses
Publication of Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses
Amendments to the Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions Regulations and Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations
Identification of Kassem Chams
Identification of Shining Path (Peru)