US sanctions target Mexican drug lord's business

Washington, July 24 (IANS) The US Tuesday slapped sanctions on nine entities and 10 people linked to the leader of Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel.

Two wives and four children of Juan Jose Esparragoza Moreno, a.k.a. El Azul, leader of the cartel, were among those blacklisted by the Treasury Department, Xinhua reported.

The move will freeze their assets under US jurisdiction and bar US citizens from doing business with them.

The department alleged that Moreno has used proceeds from his narcotics trade to build housing projects, shopping mall and an industrial park taht are operated by his family.

Moreno, who has been active in drug trafficking since the 1970s, is wanted in both the US and Mexico.

Both countries have offered separate rewards of $5 million and $2.2 million respectively for information leading to his arrest.