Press Release
Complaint Urges Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit to Freeze Ricardo Salinas Pliego’s Assets Over Alleged Fentanyl‑Fueled Money‑Laundering Network
Complaint cites 87 Salinas‑controlled entities said to have funneled drug proceeds through Banco Azteca and U.S. remittance partners.
On July 28, 2025, a formal complaint was filed with Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), requesting a criminal and fiscal investigation into billionaire Ricardo Benjamín Salinas Pliego (CURP SAPR551019HDFLLC09). The filing alleges that a constellation of 87 companies and trusts under Salinas’s control laundered proceeds from fentanyl trafficking by routing funds from the United States through Advance America / Purpose Financial Inc., Remitly Inc., and ultimately Banco Azteca in Mexico.
Key Allegations
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Drug‑proceeds laundering: Illicit funds tied to the fentanyl trade allegedly moved from the U.S. into Mexico via electronic remittance platforms and were absorbed by Banco Azteca without proper anti‑money‑laundering (AML) controls.
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Corporate web: The complaint details 87 entities active in finance, telecommunications, retail, energy, and media across Mexico, the United States, Spain, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Luxembourg, Brazil, and Hungary.
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Legal violations cited: Mexico’s Federal Law Against Organized Crime, Law on Credit Institutions, LFPIORPI, and Articles 139‑Quáter and 400‑Bis of the Federal Criminal Code.
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Urgent measures sought: Immediate account freezes, asset seizures, cross‑border information‑sharing with OFAC, FinCEN, and the DEA, and a special audit of Banco Azteca’s remittance practices.
Potential Repercussions if Allegations Are Proven
Domain | Possible Consequences |
---|---|
Criminal & Civil Liability | Salinas Pliego and senior executives could face multi‑count indictments, extradition requests, and prison sentences of up to 30 years under Mexico’s anti‑organized‑crime statutes. Companies may be fined or dissolved. |
Asset Forfeiture & Freezes | Domestic and foreign authorities could seize or block bank accounts, real estate, aircraft, and shareholdings worldwide, triggering liquidity crises across the Salinas conglomerate. |
Regulatory Sanctions | Banco Azteca’s banking license could be suspended or revoked; Grupo Elektra and Totalplay may lose concessions, spectrum, or operating permits, disrupting millions of customers. |
International Blacklisting | OFAC could place Salinas‑linked entities on the SDN List, barring them from the U.S. financial system and crippling dollar‑denominated operations. |
Capital‑Market Fallout | Credit‑rating downgrades, bond covenant breaches, and stock sell‑offs could wipe out billions in market capitalization and restrict access to new financing. |
Reputational Damage | Advertisers, suppliers, and institutional investors may sever ties; charitable initiatives such as Fundación Azteca could lose donor support. |
Operational Disruption | Frozen correspondent accounts may halt cross‑border payments, payroll, and vendor settlements, forcing layoffs and service outages across retail, telecom, and media units. |
Full List of Salinas‑Controlled Entities Named in the Complaint
Foundations
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Fundación Azteca – Mexico
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Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego Center – Mexico
Investments & Holdings
3. Fraternitas LLC – USA
4. Baula Holco Investment SL – Spain
5. Mydas Propco Investments SL – Spain
6. Laud Propco Investments SL – Spain
7. Elektra Global Group SL – Spain
8. TV Azteca Global SL – Spain
9. Dopamine Films de Bilbao SL – Spain
10. Dopamine SL – Spain
Trusts & Fiduciary Structures
11. Trust No. F/710 – Mexico
12. Trust No. F/555 – Mexico
13. Administrative Trust No. F/1402 – Mexico
14. Guarantee Trust No. F/1410 – Mexico
15. Nosara Fiduciary Estate Management Trust – Luxembourg
16. Nosara S.A.R.L. SPF – Luxembourg
17. Lora Holdco Investments SL – Spain
18. Carey Propco Investments SL – Spain
Media & Entertainment (TV Azteca)
19. TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V. – Mexico
20. Promotora de Torneos y Espectáculos Públicos, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
21. Televisión Azteca, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
22. Comerciacom, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
23. Televisión Azteca II, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
24. Red Azteca Internacional, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
25. Televisión Azteca III, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
26. Azteca Novelas, S.A.P.I. de C.V. – Mexico
27. Azteca Novelas II, S.A.P.I. de C.V. – Mexico
28. Servicios Especializados TAZ, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
29. Estudios Azteca, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
30. Operadora Mexicana de Televisión, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
31. Azteca International Corp. & Subsidiaries – USA
32. Inversora Mexicana de Producción, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
33. TV Azteca Honduras, S.A. de C.V. – Honduras
34. Mazatlán F.C., S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
35. TVA Guatemala, S.A. – Guatemala
36. Comercializadora en Medios de Comunicación de TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
37. Incotel, S.A. – Guatemala
38. SCI de México, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
39. Televisora del Valle de México, S.A.P.I. de C.V. – Mexico
40. Producciones Dopamina, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
41. Servicios Aéreos Noticiosos, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
42. Azteca Comunicaciones Perú, S.A.C. – Peru
Business Services, Security & Energy
43. Upax GS, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
44. Agency I, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
45. Adamantium Private Services, S. de R.L. de C.V. – Mexico
46. REM (Regeneración Eléctrica Mexicana), S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
47. Geotérmica para el Desarrollo, S.A.P.I. de C.V. – Mexico
Retail, Logistics & Manufacturing
48. Tiendas Neto / Tiendas Súper Precio, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
49. Dialogus Consulting, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
50. Promo Espacio, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
51. Totalsec, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
52. Data Algorithma, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
Totalplay Entities
53. Total Play Telecomunicaciones, S.A.P.I. de C.V. – Mexico
54. Gesalm Servicios, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
55. Gesalm Consultores, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
56. Total Box, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
57. Tendai, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
58. Total Play Comunicaciones Colombia, S.A.S. – Colombia
59. Lusatel USA, Inc. – USA
60. Gesalm Asesores, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
61. Total Telecom Play, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
62. Hogar Seguro TP, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
63. TP Go, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
Grupo Elektra‑Related Companies
64. GS Definición, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
65. Operadoras en Servicios Comerciales, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
66. Telecomunicaciones 360, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
67. Banco Azteca de Brasil (Deler Consultar, S.A.) – Brazil
68. Administrativo Empresariales, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
69. Elektra Centroamérica, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
70. Selabe Motors, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
71. Dirección de Administración Central, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
72. Mercadotecnia Tezonte, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
73. Compañía Operadora de Teatros, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
74. Procesos de Oro y Metales, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
75. Cecoban, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
76. Selabe Diseños, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
77. Melandas Payments, S.A.P.I. de C.V. – Mexico
78. Mercancía Exclusiva Universal, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
79. Elmex Superior, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
80. Salinas y Rocha, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
81. Seguros Azteca Daños, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
82. Intra Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
83. Mi Garantía Extendida, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
84. Inmuebles Ardoma, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
85. Aerotaxis Metropolitanos, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
86. Nueva Elektra del Milenio, S.A. de C.V. – Mexico
87. Banco Azteca, S.A. (and Fibra entities) – Mexico
Spokesperson Statement
“We call on the UIF to deploy every legal tool available to protect Mexico’s financial system from becoming a conduit for fentanyl profits. The magnitude of the alleged scheme mandates a swift, coordinated response across borders.”
Media Contact:
Justicia Empresarial
+52 800 681 9562
contacto.prensa@justiciaempresarial.com
https://justiciaempresarial.com/
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
David Johnson Urges Utility Leaders to Invest in Resilience Over Hype
Texas, US, 16th September 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, After decades of shaping some of America’s most critical infrastructure systems, former Austin Water CIO and ERCOT IT Director David Johnson is using his recent in-depth interview to highlight a growing concern: public infrastructure is too often built around hype, not durability.
In his latest feature, Johnson reflects on his journey—from growing up on a cattle farm in Oklahoma to building the back-end systems of Texas’s deregulated energy market—and makes a call for leaders to rethink how resilience is designed and led.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that real transformation happens when people understand the systems they’re building,” Johnson says. “Too often, decisions are made from a distance—without ever stepping into a control room or walking the line.”
A Critical Time for Infrastructure
The warning comes at a pivotal moment. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, more than 70% of federal infrastructure systems are over 50 years old, while cyberattacks on utilities have risen 60% since 2020. Meanwhile, billions are being poured into digital transformation without a clear link to operational realities.
Johnson believes the solution lies in cross-functional leadership and deep context awareness—bridging IT, operations, compliance, and the field.
“You can’t manage what you don’t understand,” he adds. “If you’re building tech for a grid or water system, you should at least once stand inside a substation or treatment facility.”
Not Just Strategy—Culture
Johnson’s views, shaped by roles at ERCOT, EPB Chattanooga, and Austin Water, emphasise the value of small, consistent habits over grand strategies.
“Every day, I keep a simple printed sheet of my top priorities,” he shared in the interview. “It sounds old-school, but it keeps me honest and focused.”
He also called for cross-training teams, scenario-based learning, and building trust before crisis hits. These are strategies he used to lead global teams, manage budgets of over $100M, and retain 100% of his core team for more than a decade.
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About David Johnson
David Johnson is a seasoned technology executive with over 25 years of experience in IT leadership, cybersecurity, and infrastructure modernisation across the utility sector. He has served in key roles at American Airlines, Deloitte, ERCOT, EPB Chattanooga, and most recently as CIO of Austin Water. Known for bridging the gap between operations and IT, David has led major digital transformations, built resilient high-availability systems, and managed budgets exceeding $100 million. Raised on a cattle farm in Oklahoma, he brings a grounded, systems-first approach to leadership—and continues to advocate for smarter, people-driven public infrastructure.
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
Sky Bridge Cars: Turning Flight Delays into Stress-Free Transfers
London, UK, 16th September 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Flight delays are one of the most frustrating aspects of modern travel. Long hours at airports, missed connections, and uncertainty about onward journeys leave passengers feeling helpless and anxious. Sky Bridge Cars has stepped in to change that narrative by ensuring that, no matter what happens in the skies, the road portion of your journey remains reliable, smooth, and stress-free.
How Sky Bridge Cars Keeps You Moving
What sets Sky Bridge Cars apart is its ability to adapt seamlessly to late arrivals. By investing in technology and focusing on customer-first service, the company ensures that no traveller is left stranded.
Key benefits include:
- Real-Time Flight Tracking
Sky Bridge Cars uses advanced systems to monitor flights around the clock. If your plane is delayed by minutes or even hours, the system updates drivers instantly so they can adjust pick-up times automatically. - Meet & Greet Service
Every passenger is welcomed with a professional meet & greet at the arrivals hall. Even after hours of delay, your driver is there waiting with a clear name board, ready to assist with luggage and guide you to your vehicle. - Transparent, Fixed Pricing
With Sky Bridge Cars, the fare you book is the fare you pay, no hidden costs, no surge pricing, and no unpleasant surprises. Flight delays do not affect your quoted price. - 24/7 Availability Across Major UK Airports
The service covers Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and London City Airports, operating every hour of the day and night. Whether you land at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., Sky Bridge Cars has a driver ready. - Professional Drivers & Comfortable Vehicles
Travelers enjoy clean, modern cars with experienced drivers trained to deliver courteous and efficient service. After the stress of a delay, comfort and reliability matter more than ever.
Who Benefits the Most
Sky Bridge Cars caters to a wide range of passengers, each with different needs:
- Business Travelers appreciate punctuality and reliability, ensuring they never miss critical meetings, even if their flight arrives late.
- Families gain peace of mind, knowing they won’t be left stranded with tired children and heavy luggage.
- Tourists enjoy a stress-free introduction to the UK, greeted by a driver who helps them begin their trip on the right note.
Standing Out in a Competitive Market
Many taxi and minicab services operate around airports, but Sky Bridge Cars stands out by focusing specifically on flight delay management. By combining punctuality, fair pricing, and technology-driven updates, the company has built a reputation as a trusted airport transfer partner.
“Flight delays may be out of a traveller’s control, but ground transportation doesn’t have to add to the stress,” said a spokesperson for Sky Bridge Cars. “Our system guarantees that passengers always have a driver waiting for them, no matter how unpredictable their arrival time.”
The Traveler’s Advantage
By pre-booking with Sky Bridge Cars, passengers secure more than just a ride, they secure peace of mind. Whether you are a frequent flyer, a first-time visitor, or a family heading home, the company ensures that the last part of your journey is the easiest.
Call to Action
Don’t let flight delays disrupt your plans. With Sky Bridge Cars, you can enjoy a smooth, stress-free airport transfer no matter when you land.
Book your reliable airport taxi transfer today with Sky Bridge Cars and travel with confidence.
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
Christopher Mickey Calls for Small Business Owners to Redefine Success Through Everyday Actions
New Port Richey, FL, 16th September 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Christopher Mickey, entrepreneur and founder of Airheads HVAC, is speaking out about the myths of success and the need for small business owners to prioritise dependability and problem-solving over chasing big breaks. Featured in a recent in-depth interview, Mickey shared his story of building businesses in restaurants, real estate, and HVAC while raising awareness of the practical steps anyone can take to build lasting trust.
“People think success comes from one lucky moment,” Mickey explained. “For me, it’s hundreds of small choices—showing up, fixing mistakes, keeping promises. Those build the foundation for anything that looks like a big break later on.”
Research from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows that 43% of small business owners struggle most with retaining customer trust. Mickey believes consistency is the antidote. His approach was shaped by leaving home at 14, buying his first pizza shop at 21, and later flipping more than 500 houses with his wife, Stephanie Woods.
“Stop waiting for the perfect plan,” Mickey urged. “Pick something you can improve and start now. If your business, your family, and your community are better off than a year ago, you’re moving in the right direction.”
Practical Actions Anyone Can Start Today
Mickey suggests simple steps that make a big impact:
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Write down tasks and goals every day.
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Fix mistakes before being asked.
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Protect your time from constant interruptions.
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Support one community group, school, or sports team.
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Focus on doing fewer things well rather than spreading thin.
“You don’t have to run four companies to make a difference,” he said. “But if you’re running one—run it like it matters. Because it does.”
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Christopher Mickey
Christopher Mickey is a Florida-based entrepreneur with ventures in HVAC, real estate, leasing, and finance. Known for his hands-on approach and community involvement, he built Airheads HVAC after years of frustration with unreliable contractors while flipping homes. He and his wife actively support charities, churches, schools, and youth sports throughout Pasco County.
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
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