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U.S. Treasury trying to hit cartel leaders where it hurts

The U.S. Department of Treasury is extending efforts to punish a leader of the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel -- financially. KJZZ's Jude Joffe-Block reports that people in the US are banned from doing business with two Mexican companies under the kingpin's control.

Under a law known as the Kingpin Act, the Department of Treasury can prohibit business with companies designated as aiding drug kingpins. The Treasury added two Mexican businesses belonging to a Sinaloa Cartel leader, Juan Jose Exparragoza, to that list. He's known as El Azul, and he's wanted in the US and Mexico for drug trafficking.

The businesses include a real estate company in Guadalajara and an even planning company in Cancún. The Treasury had previously designated nine El Azul entities under the Kingpin Act. Those who are caught doing business with these companies could face large fines or criminal charges.