The U.S. Treasury Department has named a Colombian-based man as a "major" criminal drug trafficker and frozen his assets with the aim of striking at what officials say is his massive financial empire.
Treasury officials Wednesday identified the man as Fabio Enrique Ochoa Vasco, also known as Carlos Mario. A statement described Ochoa Vasco as head of one of the most powerful Medellin-based drug trafficking organizations today.
Wednesday's action freezes the assets of 45 companies and 64 individuals believed to be associated with Ochoa Vasco, who is wanted on federal cocaine trafficking charges.
Additionally, it bans Americans from doing business with them. U.S. authorities are offering up to five million dollars for information leading to Ochoa Vasco's arrest.
The agency says Ochoa Vasco's financial network includes operations in Belize, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico and Panama.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP.
