In short
- New SDN entries include persons linked to the Sinaloa Cartel and entities tied to Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics.
- Several existing SDN entries were updated to reflect secondary sanctions risks and new linkages to designated organizations.
What happened
OFAC updated its Specially Designated Nationals List on 29 September 2026, adding numerous individuals and entities for involvement in narcotics trafficking, terrorism, Iran-related activities, and non-proliferation. The additions include persons associated with the Sinaloa Cartel and entities linked to Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics.
The update also revised several existing SDN entries, adding secondary sanctions risks and new linkages to designated organizations. Entities from Mexico, Iran, China, Pakistan, Turkey, and Russia were included, with specific company numbers, registration numbers, and national IDs provided for compliance checks.
What compliance teams should check
- Screen all customers and counterparties against the updated OFAC SDN List, including new entries linked to the Sinaloa Cartel and Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics.
- Review transactions involving entities with company numbers 7049238244 (Saudi Arabia), 0188815 (Pakistan), and 0203089983700001 (Turkey) for potential sanctions exposure.
- Update compliance procedures to reflect secondary sanctions risks under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224 and new linkages to designated organizations as noted in the SDN List changes.
Why it matters
This update expands the scope of OFAC's sanctions regime, targeting individuals and entities involved in narcotics trafficking, terrorism, and proliferation activities. Compliance officers must ensure their screening systems are current and capable of identifying these new SDN entries, including those with secondary sanctions risks. Failure to detect and block transactions involving these parties could result in regulatory penalties and reputational harm. The detailed identifiers and linkages provided in the update are critical for accurate customer due diligence and transaction monitoring.
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