The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has taken decisive action against six alleged drug traffickers accused of using sophisticated methods, including “narco subs” and aircraft, to smuggle massive quantities of cocaine across borders. The sanctions, announced earlier this week, target individuals from Guyana and Colombia involved in trafficking cocaine to the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Key Players in the Cross-Border Drug Trade
The sanctioned individuals include two Colombians, Manuel Salazar Gutierrez and Yeison Andres Sanchez Vallejo, alongside four Guyanese nationals: Randolph Duncan, Himnauth Sawh, Mark Cromwell, and Paul Daby Jr. According to U.S. officials, these individuals have played critical roles in moving tons of cocaine from South America to global markets, leveraging advanced smuggling techniques and exploiting regional vulnerabilities.
In Guyana, Daby Jr. and Duncan are accused of leading the country’s largest drug trafficking organizations. Their operations reportedly rely on semi-submersible “narco subs” and aircraft to transport cocaine, often facilitated by bribes to local officials.
Meanwhile, Sawh, an active Guyanese police officer, allegedly aids Venezuelan and Mexican traffickers by enabling cocaine shipments through Guyana. Cromwell, a former police officer, faces additional scrutiny for his alleged role in the abduction of a fellow officer last year.
In Colombia, Salazar and Sanchez are accused of managing airstrips used to smuggle cocaine into Guyana, serving as key logistical players in the drug trafficking pipeline.
U.S. Commitment to Combating Cartels
“Under President [Donald] Trump, this administration has achieved the most secure border in modern history,” said Deputy Secretary Michael Faulkender in a statement. “The Treasury Department continues to bring our unique tools and authorities to the fight against cartels and their affiliates.”
The sanctions freeze all U.S.-based assets of the designated individuals and prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with them. “All property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC,” the Treasury stated.
Challenges in Guyana’s Anti-Drug Efforts
The Treasury highlighted Guyana’s strategic location near the Caribbean and its struggles with corruption as key factors enabling drug trafficking. “Guyana is a close partner of the United States in combating narcotics trafficking,” the Treasury noted.
“Nevertheless, according to a 2025 State Department International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, corruption in Guyana poses a significant obstacle to its efforts to combat drug trafficking.” This environment has allowed traffickers to operate narco subs through Guyana’s jungles, carrying unprecedented amounts of cocaine.
Recent incidents illustrate the scale of the problem. In March 2025, authorities intercepted a cargo vessel from Guyana off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago, uncovering 400 pounds of cocaine marked with the Toyota logo—a signature of the Sinaloa Cartel. Last year, a joint U.S.-Guyanese operation seized 5,200 pounds of cocaine from a narco sub off Guyana’s coast, highlighting the growing use of these vessels.
Ongoing Efforts to Disrupt Cartel Operations
The Treasury remains steadfast in its mission to dismantle drug trafficking networks. “Treasury will continue to expose the criminal networks that allow for drugs to be trafficked into the United States,” Faulkender emphasized.
“[We will] work closely with our law enforcement colleagues and the Government of Guyana to disrupt the cartels wherever they operate.” These sanctions signal a renewed push to curb the flow of illicit drugs, targeting the infrastructure and individuals driving the trade.
