The United States on Thursday hit with sanctions a Mexican man and his cattle sales company allegedly used to launder money by the Los Zetas drug cartel.

Jesus Fernandez de Luna's company, Compania Ganadera 5 Manantiales, was established by his son-in-law, Omar Trevino Morales, brother of Los Zetas boss Miguel Trevino Morales, to launder the proceeds from narcotics trafficking by purchasing American quarter horses, the Department of Treasury said.

It said Omar's wife, Carolina Fernandez Gonzalez, is involved in the company's money laundering as well. Miguel was arrested by the Mexican authorities on July 15.

The Treasury' sanctions include a ban on business with those targeted and a freeze of all of their assets under U.S. jurisdiction.

Jesus Fernandez de Luna is wanted by U.S. authorities for conspiring to disguise drug proceeds for Miguel and Omar Trevino Morales, the department said in a statement.

U.S. President Barack Obama identified Los Zetas as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker in April 2009, and a significant transnational criminal organization in July 2011.

Miguel and Omar Trevino Morales were blacklisted by the Treasury respectively in July 2009 and March 2010.

The Treasury's move on Thursday is its third against Los Zetas in the past three months.

The agency has slapped sanctions on more than 1,300 individuals and entities linked to 103 drug kingpins worldwide since June 2000. Endite

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