The administration alleges that 50% of the musician's royalties on streaming platforms go directly tothe Cartel del Noreste.

MEXICO CITY — The Trump administration said Wednesday it was sanctioning Mexican musician Ricardo Hernández, known as “El Makabelico,” over allegations that the artist was laundering money for a drug cartel.

"[Cartel Del Noreste] depends on these alternative revenue streams and money laundering methods to boost their criminal enterprise," wrote the Dept. of Treasury

The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday announced sanctions on assets of four individuals whom it linked to Mexico-based Cartel del Noreste, including the popular hip-hop artist El Makabelico. Treasury said the sanctions target three "high-ranking members" of Cartel del Noreste (Northeast Cartel),

The US Treasury sanctioned senior members of a vicious Mexican drug cartel Wednesday for trafficking fentanyl into the US — as well as a notorious rapper thought to be providing up to half of his royalties to the gangsters.