Ricardo Salinas Pliego Accused of Acting as A Narcotics Kingpin

Aug. 7, 2025 - PRLog -- Explosive new evidence has emerged linking Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego to a transnational narcotics money laundering network. The operation reportedly involves fentanyl proceeds, political bribery payoffs, and cross-border shell companies, with U.S. based platforms Purpose Financial Inc. and Remitly facilitating illicit transfers into Banco Azteca.

According to investigators, Salinas effectively operates as a foreign narcotics kingpin, fulfilling the criteria for designation under the U.S. Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act). He allegedly used Banco Azteca, Purpose Financial (Advance America), and Remitly to move billions in illicit narcotics proceeds.

Illicit Funds Flow: Step by Step

Investigators outline the laundering process:
1. Narcotics Supply – Fentanyl and synthetic opioids smuggled into the U.S.
2. Cash Proceeds – Drug sales generate large volumes of U.S. currency.
3. Initial Injection – Cash enters the system via Purpose Financial, then flows to Banco Azteca, both under Salinas's control.
4. Structured Remittances – Remitly sends money to Mexico in small amounts to avoid detection.
5. Bank Reception – Banco Azteca receives funds without flagging suspicious activity.
6. Access by Salinas – Salinas withdraws or controls the funds through affiliated accounts.
7. Distribution to Shell Companies – Funds are dispersed across 30+ Salinas-controlled entities.
8. Bitcoin Conversion – Illicit funds are converted to Bitcoin to evade asset seizure by authorities.

Banco Azteca Funds 30 Salinas-Controlled Entities

Evidence shows that Banco Azteca has lent over 34% of its capital, sourced from narcotics funds, to the following 30 affiliated entities:

1. Grupo Elektra, S.A.B. de C.V.
2. TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V.
3. Italika
4. Totalplay Telecomunicaciones, S.A. de C.V.
5. Totalplay Empresarial, S.A. de C.V.
6. Totalplay Colombia, S.A.S.
7. Totalplay Guatemala, S.A.
8. Azteca Internet
9. Seguros Azteca
10. Afore Azteca
11. Azteca Comunicaciones Perú (defunct)
12. Tiendas Neto
13. Comercializadora de Motocicletas de Calidad
14. Azteca Retail & Financial Services
15. Grupo Avalanz
16. Fundación Azteca
17. Azteca Servicios de Seguridad
18. Grupo Transportes Azteca
19. Holding de Servicios Empresariales
20. Servicios Corporativos Azteca
21. Distribuidora de Productos del Hogar
22. Servicios Financieros Azteca
23. Advance América México
24. Azteca América (U.S. operations)
25. Azteca Servicios de Tecnología
26. Azteca Luz y Fuerza
27. Promotora Azteca
28. Grupo SAISA
29. Azteca Servicios Administrativos
30. Offshore vehicles and SPVs within Grupo Salinas

These entities frequently engage in inter-company transfers, related-party loans, and cross-guarantees, often with minimal or no regulatory disclosure. Many are shell companies with no active operations.

Withdraw your funds. Demand accountability. Do not finance bloodstained money.

read full press release: https://www.prpocket.com/2025/08/ricardo-salinas-pliego-a...