A Jalisco judge has denied an injunction to Brenda Guadalupe and Nadia Esparragoza Gastelum, daughters of Juan José “El Azul” Esparragoza, seeking to halt the asset forfeiture process against their bank accounts.
It should be noted that this appeal was filed against the measures imposed in case UEIORPIFAM/AP/059/2013, which, according to local media, determine the forfeiture of assets worth more than 28 million pesos.
Who is “El Azul” and what is his connection to the Sinaloa Cartel?
Juan José Esparragoza Moreno, better known as “El Azul,” is one of the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, along with Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, according to information shared by the United States Department of the Treasury.
US authorities claim that both Brenda and Nadia are involved in their father’s business dealings through companies such as Grupo Impergoza and Socialika Rentas y Catering.
In the case of Nadia’s husband, her husband, Pedro Pastor, is co-owner of the company Piscilanea, which has been linked to Rafael Caro Quintero’s organization since 2013.
They are denied protection after several evasions
This is the first time that the drug trafficker’s daughters have received a denial in response to their protection requests. It should be noted that in 2023, a federal judge ordered the unblocking of Nadia Patricia’s accounts, and she even claimed 20 million pesos in compensation.
Brenda Guadalupe has also won previous protection requests, successfully releasing her funds.
This case has been highlighted to highlight the difficulties the Mexican judicial system faces in combating money laundering. The Financial Intelligence Unit had identified the daughters of “El Azul” as part of a network operating in Guadalajara, using front companies to launder money.
What is asset forfeiture?
Asset forfeiture refers to the mechanism by which the State seizes the assets of a person accused of a crime.
Source: publimetro
