Million-dollar laundering! Utah father and son helped finance the CJNG with crude oil.

A Utah father and son have been charged with conspiring to provide material support to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel ( CJNG ), an organization recently designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist group.

According to authorities, the family illegally imported tens of millions of dollars in crude oil to finance the cartel's operations.

The indictment, issued May 22, alleges that Maxwell Sterling Jensen, 25, and James Lael Jensen, 68, operated the business through their Texas -based company, Arroyo Terminals.

Both face charges of money laundering, smuggling, conspiracy, and concealing the origin of their illicit activities, all linked to their relationship with the CJNG. The investigation reveals that crude oil represents a key source of income for the cartel , which has heightened the severity of the case.

According to the Department of Justice, the Jensens allegedly facilitated the fraudulent entry of nearly 2,900 crude oil shipments using barges, tanker trucks , and property linked to their company. Authorities seized four barges, three trucks, and one personal vehicle, and are seeking property forfeiture and a $300 million monetary judgment.

The defendants' potential penalties include up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to support the cartel and money laundering, as well as penalties for smuggling and making false statements. Million-dollar fines and the possibility of additional forfeitures are also expected.

The investigation, led by the FBI, DEA, IRS, and other agencies, is part of Operation Liquid Death and the national Take Back America initiative, which seeks to dismantle cartel financial networks. This offensive reflects a more aggressive approach to combating transnational organized crime, targeting not only traffickers but also those who facilitate their operations.