WASHINGTON _ The Treasury Department accused Mexican soccer star Rafael Marquez of having links to a major drug trafficker as part of an action hitting 22 Mexican nationals with sanctions that freeze their assets in the U.S.
The move was made in conjunction with the Mexican government following a multiyear investigation of a drug network allegedly run by Raul Flores Hernandez that has links to two major Mexican drug cartels, the Treasury Department said in a statement.
Hernandez "has operated for decades because of his longstanding relationships with other drug cartels and his use of financial front persons to mask his investments of illegal drug proceeds," John E. Smith, director of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, said in a statement.
Marquez, known as Rafa, played for the Barcelona soccer team and became the first Mexican player to win the UEFA Champions League. He has played on teams across North America and Europe during a successful career which has spanned more than a decade and is currently the captain of the national team.
For fans of the U.S. national team, Marquez is an arch enemy. As recently as last November, he scored a game winner for Mexico against the Americans in a World Cup qualifying match.
Mexico's Federal Soccer Association didn't immediately have a comment and calls to a soccer school run by Marquez went unanswered.
U.S. officials allege that Marquez and Mexican singer Julion Alvarez have longstanding relationships with Hernandez and provided fronts for him and his drug organization.
The Treasury action also targeted 42 entities in Mexico tied to the Hernandez network. The sanctions mean that any assets under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen and anyone in the U.S. is barred from engaging in any transactions with the people or entities named.
