WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Tuesday announced to sanction nine Colombian organizations and eight individuals for alleged trafficking of cocaine.

Among the targeted were the Rincon Castillo drug trafficking organization (Rincon Castillo DTO), its leader Pedro Rincon Castillo, and a key Colombian criminal associate Horacio de Jesus Triana Romero. They were identified as significant foreign narcotics traffickers.

Seven additional Colombian individuals were designated for allegedly providing material support to or acting on behalf of the Rincon Castillo DTO.

OFAC further designated seven Colombian companies that are owned or controlled by the designated individuals or the Rincon Castillo DTO.

As a result of Tuesday's action, any assets in which these persons have an interest in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons would be blocked and reported to OFAC.

"Treasury is taking action to shut off the flow of Colombian cocaine proceeds through the Rincon Castillo drug trafficking organization's elaborate network of emerald mines and other seemingly legitimate enterprises," Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Sigal Mandelker said.

The United States is committed to combating cartels engaged in cocaine trafficking and the violent networks they have cultivated to launder dirty money and transport these dangerous drugs, he said.

Since June 2000, more than 2,100 entities and individuals have been sanctioned by the United States for their role in international narcotics trafficking, according to the Treasury.