Source: http://ecfr.io/Title-31/pt31.3.598
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 02:07:36+00:00

Document:
§598.101 Relation of this part to other laws and regulations.
§598.203 Prohibited transactions involving blocked property.
§598.205 Effect of transfers violating the provisions of this part.
§598.206 Holding of funds in interest-bearing accounts; investment and reinvestment.
§598.301 Blocked account; blocked property.
§598.304 Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.
§598.309 Narcotic drug; controlled substance; listed chemical.
§598.313 Significant foreign narcotics trafficker.
§598.314 Specially designated narcotics trafficker.
§598.318 United States person; U.S. person.
§598.401 Reference to amended sections.
§598.403 Termination and acquisition of an interest in blocked property.
§598.405 Transactions incidental to a licensed transaction.
§598.408 Alleged change in ownership or control of an entity designated as a specially designated narcotics trafficker.
§598.409 Credit extended and cards issued by U.S. financial institutions.
§598.410 Payments from blocked accounts to U.S. exporters and for other obligations prohibited.
§598.501 General and specific licensing procedures.
§598.504 Payments and transfers to blocked accounts in U.S. financial institutions.
§598.505 Investment and reinvestment of certain funds.
§598.506 Entries in certain accounts for normal service charges authorized.
§598.507 Provision of certain legal services authorized.
§598.703 Response to prepenalty notice; informal settlement.
§598.704 Penalty imposition or withdrawal.
§598.705 Administrative collection; referral to United States Department of Justice.
§598.706 Judicial review of civil penalty.
§598.802 Availability of information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.
§598.803 Delegation by the Secretary of the Treasury.
§598.901 Paperwork Reduction Act notice.
Authority: 3 U.S.C. 301; 21 U.S.C. 1901-1908; 31 U.S.C. 321(b); Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note).
Source: 65 FR 41336, July 5, 2000, unless otherwise noted.
(a) This part is separate from, and independent of, the other parts of this chapter, including part 536 of this chapter, “Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions Regulations,” with the exception of part 501 of this chapter, the provisions of which apply to this part. Actions taken pursuant to part 501 of this chapter with respect to the prohibitions contained in this part are considered actions taken pursuant to this part. Differing foreign policy and national security contexts may result in differing interpretations of similar language among the parts of this chapter. No license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to those other parts authorizes any transaction prohibited by this part. No license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to any other provision of law or regulation authorizes any transaction prohibited by this part.
A specially designated narcotics trafficker is subject to any and all sanctions authorized by the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act and implemented in this part. The application of sanctions on any specially designated narcotics trafficker will remain in effect until revoked by the President pursuant to section 804(h)(2) of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, waived by the President pursuant to section 804(g)(1) of that Act, or revoked by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to section 805(e)(1)(A) of that Act.
Except to the extent provided in regulations, orders, instructions, licenses, or directives issued pursuant to this part, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date, there are blocked as of the effective date, and any date thereafter, all such property and interests in property within the United States, or within the possession or control of any United States person, which are owned or controlled by a specially designated narcotics trafficker.
(a) Except to the extent provided in regulations, orders, instructions, licenses, or directives issued pursuant to this part, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date, any transaction or dealing by a United States person, or within the United States, in property or interests in property of a specially designated narcotics trafficker is prohibited.
(b) Unless otherwise authorized by this part or by a specific license expressly referring to this section, any dealing in any security (or evidence thereof) held within the possession or control of a U.S. person and either registered or inscribed in the name of or known to be held for the benefit of any specially designated narcotics trafficker is prohibited. This prohibition includes but is not limited to the transfer (including the transfer on the books of any issuer or agent thereof), disposition, transportation, importation, exportation, or withdrawal of any such security or the endorsement or guaranty of signatures on any such security.
(c) When a transaction results in the blocking of funds at a financial institution pursuant to this section and a party to the transaction believes the funds have been blocked due to mistaken identity, that party may seek to have such funds unblocked pursuant to the administrative procedures set forth in §501.806 of this chapter.
Except to the extent provided in regulations, orders, instructions, licenses, or directives issued pursuant to this part, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date, any transaction or dealing by any United States person, or within the United States, that evades or avoids, or has the effect of evading or avoiding, and any endeavor, attempt, or conspiracy to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this part is prohibited.
(a) Any transfer after the effective date that is in violation of any provision of this part or of any regulation, order, directive, ruling, instruction, or license issued pursuant to this part, and that involves any property or interest in property of a specially designated narcotics trafficker is null and void and shall not be the basis for the assertion or recognition of any interest in or right, remedy, power, or privilege with respect to such property or property interests.
(b) No transfer before the effective date shall be the basis for the assertion or recognition of any right, remedy, power, or privilege with respect to, or any interest in, any property or interest in property of a specially designated narcotics trafficker, unless the person with whom such property is held or maintained, prior to that date, had written notice of the transfer or by any written evidence had recognized such transfer.
(c) Unless otherwise provided, an appropriate license or other authorization issued by or pursuant to the direction or authorization of the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control before, during, or after a transfer shall validate such transfer or make it enforceable to the same extent that it would be valid or enforceable but for the provisions of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, this part, and any regulation, order, directive, ruling, instruction, or license issued pursuant to this part.
Note to paragraph (d) of §598.205: The filing of a report in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d)(3) of this section shall not be deemed evidence that the terms of paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section have been satisfied.
(e) Unless licensed or authorized pursuant to this part, any attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process is null and void with respect to any property in which on or since the effective date there existed an interest of a specially designated narcotics trafficker.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, or as otherwise directed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, any U.S. person holding funds, such as currency, bank deposits, or liquidated financial obligations, subject to §598.202 shall hold or place such funds in a blocked interest-bearing account located in the United States.
(ii) With a broker or dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, provided the funds are invested in a money market fund or in U.S. Treasury bills.
(2) For purposes of this section, a rate is commercially reasonable if it is the rate currently offered to other depositors on deposits or instruments of comparable size and maturity.
(3) Funds held or placed in a blocked account pursuant to this paragraph (b) may not be invested in instruments the maturity of which exceeds 180 days. If interest is credited to a separate blocked account or sub-account, the name of the account party on each account must be the same.
(c) Blocked funds held in instruments the maturity of which exceeds 180 days at the time the funds become subject to §598.202 may continue to be held until maturity in the original instrument, provided any interest, earnings, or other proceeds derived therefrom are paid into a blocked interest-bearing account in accordance with paragraph (b) or (d) of this section.
(d) Blocked funds held in accounts or instruments outside the United States at the time the funds become subject to §598.202 may continue to be held in the same type of accounts or instruments, provided the funds earn interest at rates that are commercially reasonable.
(e) This section does not create an affirmative obligation for the holder of blocked tangible property, such as chattels or real estate, or of other blocked property, such as debt or equity securities, to sell or liquidate such property at the time the property becomes subject to §598.202. However, the Office of Foreign Assets Control may issue licenses permitting or directing such sales in appropriate cases.
(f) Funds subject to this section may not be held, invested, or reinvested in a manner that provides immediate financial or economic benefit or access to specially designated narcotics traffickers, nor may their holder cooperate in or facilitate the pledging or other attempted use as collateral of blocked funds or other assets.
Note to §598.206: Please refer to §598.505 for authorized investment and reinvestment of certain funds held in blocked accounts.
The terms blocked account and blocked property mean any account or property subject to §598.202 held in the name of a specially designated narcotics trafficker, or in which a specially designated narcotics trafficker has an interest, and with respect to which payments, transfers, exportations, withdrawals, or other dealings may not be made or effected except pursuant to an authorization or license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control authorizing such action.
The term effective date refers to the effective date of the applicable prohibitions and directives of this part, which is December 3, 1999, or, in the case of specially designated narcotics traffickers designated after that date, the earlier of the date on which actual or constructive notice of such designation is received.
The term entity means a partnership, joint venture, association, corporation, organization, network, group, or subgroup, or any form of business collaboration.
The term Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act means the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, Pub. L. 106-120, title 8, 113 Stat. 1606, 1626-1636 (codified at 21 U.S.C. 1901-1908, 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)(C)).
The term foreign person means any citizen or national of a foreign state or any entity not organized under the laws of the United States, but does not include a foreign state.
The term general license means any license or authorization the terms of which are set forth in this part.
Except as otherwise provided in this part, the term interest when used with respect to property (e.g., an interest in property) means an interest of any nature whatsoever, direct or indirect.
The terms narcotic drug, controlled substance, and listed chemical have the meanings given those terms in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802).
The term narcotics trafficking means any illicit activity to cultivate, produce, manufacture, distribute, sell, finance, or transport narcotic drugs, controlled substances, or listed chemicals, or otherwise endeavor or attempt to do so, or to assist, abet, conspire, or collude with others to do so.
The terms property and property interest include but are not limited to money, checks, drafts, bullion, bank deposits, savings accounts, debts, indebtedness, obligations, notes, guarantees, debentures, stocks, bonds, coupons, any other financial instruments, bankers acceptances, mortgages, pledges, liens or other rights in the nature of security, warehouse receipts, bills of lading, trust receipts, bills of sale, any other evidences of title, ownership, or indebtedness, letters of credit and any documents relating to any rights or obligations thereunder, powers of attorney, goods, wares, merchandise, chattels, stocks on hand, ships, goods on ships, real estate mortgages, deeds of trust, vendors' sales agreements, land contracts, leaseholds, ground rents, real estate and any other interest therein, options, negotiable instruments, trade acceptances, royalties, book accounts, accounts payable, judgments, patents, trademarks or copyrights, insurance policies, safe deposit boxes and their contents, annuities, pooling agreements, services of any nature whatsoever, contracts of any nature whatsoever, and any other property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or interest or interests therein, whether present, future, or contingent.
The term significant foreign narcotics trafficker means any foreign person that plays a significant role in international narcotics trafficking that the President has determined to be appropriate for sanctions and has publicly identified under section 804(b) or section 804(h)(1) of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.
(3) Playing a significant role in international narcotics trafficking.
Note 1 to §598.314: The names of persons determined to fall within this definition, whose property and interests in property therefore are blocked pursuant to this part, are published in the Federal Register and incorporated into the Office of Foreign Assets Control's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN List”) with the identifier “[SDNTK].” The SDN List is accessible through the following page on the Office of Foreign Assets Control's Web site: http://www.treasury.gov/sdn. Additional information pertaining to the SDN List can be found in appendix A to this chapter.
Note 3 to §598.314: Sections 501.806 and 501.807 of this chapter describe the procedures to be followed by persons seeking, respectively, the unblocking of funds that they believe were blocked due to mistaken identity, or administrative reconsideration of their status as persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this part.
The term transfer means any actual or purported act or transaction, whether or not evidenced by writing, and whether or not done or performed within the United States, the purpose, intent, or effect of which is to create, surrender, release, convey, transfer, or alter, directly or indirectly, any right, remedy, power, privilege, or interest with respect to any property. Without limitation upon the foregoing, the term transfer includes the making, execution, or delivery of any assignment, power, conveyance, check, declaration, deed, deed of trust, power of attorney, power of appointment, bill of sale, mortgage, receipt, agreement, contract, certificate, gift, sale, affidavit, or statement; the making of any payment; the setting off of any obligation or credit; the appointment of any agent, trustee, or fiduciary; the creation or transfer of any lien; the issuance, docketing, filing, or levy of or under any judgment, decree, attachment, injunction, execution, or other judicial or administrative process or order; the service of any garnishment; the acquisition of any interest of any nature whatsoever by reason of a judgment or decree of any foreign country; the fulfillment of any condition; the exercise of any power of appointment, power of attorney, or other power; or the acquisition, disposition, transportation, importation, exportation, or withdrawal of any security.
The term United States person or U.S. person means any United States citizen or national, permanent resident alien, an entity organized under the laws of the United States (including its foreign branches), or any person within the United States.
The term U.S. financial institution means any U.S. entity (including a foreign branch) that is engaged in the business of accepting deposits, making, granting, transferring, holding, or brokering loans or credits, or purchasing or selling foreign exchange, securities, commodity futures or options, as principal or agent. This terms includes but is not limited to depository institutions, banks, savings banks, trust companies, securities brokers and dealers, commodity futures and options brokers and dealers, forward contract and foreign exchange merchants, securities and commodities exchanges, clearing corporations, investment companies, employee benefit plans, and U.S. holding companies, U.S. affiliates, or U.S. subsidiaries of any of the foregoing. This term includes those branches, offices, and agencies of foreign financial institutions which are located in the United States, but not such institutions' foreign branches, offices, or agencies.
(a) Whenever a transaction licensed pursuant to this part results in the transfer of property (including any property interest) away from a specially designated narcotics trafficker, the transferred property will no longer be considered property in which that person has or has had an interest. Provided no other specially designated narcotics trafficker has any interest in the transferred property following the transfer, the transferred property will no longer be considered property blocked pursuant to §598.202.
(b) Unless otherwise specifically provided in a license issued pursuant to this part, if property (including any property interest) is transferred or attempted to be transferred to a specially designated narcotics trafficker, such property shall be deemed to be property in which that person has an interest, and such property is therefore blocked pursuant to §598.202.
A setoff against blocked property (including a blocked account), whether by a U.S. financial institution or other U.S. person, is a prohibited transfer under §598.203 if effected after the effective date.
Any transaction ordinarily incident to a licensed transaction and necessary to give effect to the licensed transaction is also authorized by the license. Except as specifically authorized by the terms of a license, prohibited transactions by specially designated narcotics traffickers and debits to accounts blocked pursuant to §598.202 are not considered incidental to a licensed transaction and therefore remain prohibited.
(2) With respect to property interests of a specially designated narcotics trafficker.
(b) Example: U.S. persons may not, except as authorized by or pursuant to this part, provide legal, accounting, financial, brokering, freight forwarding, transportation, public relations, or other services to a specially designated narcotics trafficker. See §598.507 on licensing policy with regard to the provision of certain legal services.
The prohibitions contained in §598.203 apply to transactions by any U.S. person in a location outside the United States with respect to property in which the U.S. person knows, or has reason to know, that a specially designated narcotics trafficker has or has had an interest since the effective date.
(a) A change or alleged change in ownership or control of an entity designated as a specially designated narcotics trafficker shall not be the basis for removal of that entity from the Office of Foreign Assets Control's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN List”) unless, upon investigation by the Office of Foreign Control and submission of evidence by the entity, it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control that the transfer to a bona fide purchaser at arm's length, or other means of changing ownership or control, is legitimate and that the entity no longer meets the criteria for designation under §598.314. Evidence submitted must conclusively demonstrate that all ties with other specially designated narcotics traffickers have been completely severed, and may include, but is not limited to, articles of incorporation; identification of new directors, officers, shareholders, and sources of capital; and contracts evidencing the sale of the entity to its new owners.
(b) Any continuing substantial financial obligations on the part of the new owners to any specially designated narcotics traffickers, including long-term payment plans, leases, or rents, will be considered as evidence of continuing control of the entity by the specially designated narcotics trafficker. Purchase of a designated entity without ongoing substantial financial obligations to a specially designated narcotics trafficker may nonetheless be a basis for subsequent designation of the purchaser, if the transaction is determined materially to assist in or provide financial support for the international narcotics trafficking activities of specially designated narcotics traffickers for purposes of §598.314(b)(1). For example, any acquisition transaction resulting in a direct cash transfer to or other enrichment of a specially designated narcotics trafficker could lead to designation of the purchaser. Mere change in name of an entity will not be considered as constituting a change of the entity's status.
The prohibition in §598.203 on dealing in property in which a specially designated narcotics trafficker has an interest prohibits U.S. financial institutions from performing under any existing credit agreements, including, but not limited to, charge cards, debit cards, or other credit facilities issued by a U.S. financial institution to a specially designated narcotics trafficker.
No debits may be made to a blocked account to pay obligations to U.S. persons or other persons, including payment for goods or services exported prior to the effective date of the blocking, except as authorized pursuant to this part.
Any payment of funds or transfer of credit in which a specially designated narcotics trafficker has any interest that comes within the possession or control of a U.S. financial institution must be blocked in an account on the books of that financial institution. A transfer of funds or credit by a U.S. financial institution between blocked accounts in its branches or offices is authorized, provided that no transfer is made from an account within the United States to an account held outside the United States, and further provided that a transfer from a blocked account may only be made to another blocked account held in the same name.
Note to §598.504: Please refer to part 501, subpart C of this chapter for mandatory reporting requirements regarding financial transfers. See also §598.206 concerning the obligation to hold blocked funds in interest-bearing accounts.
(c) No immediate financial or economic benefit accrues (e.g., through pledging or other use) to the specially designated narcotics trafficker.
(a) U.S. financial institutions are authorized to debit any blocked account with such U.S. financial institution in payment or reimbursement for normal service charges owed to such U.S. financial institution by the owner of such blocked account.
(b) As used in this section, the term normal service charges includes but is not limited to charges in payment or reimbursement for interest due; cable, telegraph, or telephone charges; postage costs; custody fees; small adjustment charges to correct bookkeeping errors; minimum balance charges; notary and protest fees; and charges for reference books, photocopies, credit reports, transcripts of statements, registered mail, insurance, stationery and supplies, and other similar items.
(a) The provision to or on behalf of a specially designated narcotics trafficker of the legal services set forth in paragraph (b) of this section is authorized, provided that all receipt of payment for such services must be specifically licensed.
(c) The provision of any other legal services to a specially designated narcotics trafficker, not otherwise authorized in this part, requires the issuance of a specific license.
(d) Entry into a settlement agreement affecting property or interests in property of a specially designated narcotics trafficker or the enforcement of any lien, judgment, arbitral award, decree, or other order through execution, garnishment, or other judicial process purporting to transfer or otherwise alter or affect property or interests in property of a specially designated narcotics trafficker is prohibited unless specifically licensed in accordance with §598.205(e).
For provisions relating to required records and reports, see part 501, subpart C of this chapter. Recordkeeping and reporting requirements imposed by part 501 of this chapter with respect to the prohibitions contained in this part are considered requirements arising pursuant to this part.
(3) A civil penalty not to exceed the amount set forth in section 807 of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1901-1908) per violation may be imposed by the Secretary of the Treasury on any person who violates any license, order, rule, or regulation issued in compliance with the provisions of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.
Note to paragraph (a)(3): The maximum civil penalty is $1,466,485 per violation.
(b) Adjustments to penalty amounts. (1) The current civil penalty cap may be adjusted for inflation pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-410, as amended, 28 U.S.C. 2461 note).
(2) The criminal penalties provided in this part are subject to increase pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3571.
(c) Attention is directed to 18 U.S.C. 1001, which provides that whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States, knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact, or makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation, or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(a) When required. If the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control has reasonable cause to believe that there has occurred a violation of any provision of this part or a violation of the provisions of any license, ruling, regulation, order, direction, or instruction issued by or pursuant to the direction or authorization of the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to this part or otherwise under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, and the Director determines that further proceedings are warranted, the Director shall issue to the person concerned a notice of intent to impose a monetary penalty. This prepenalty notice shall be issued whether or not another agency has taken any action with respect to this matter.
(c) Informal settlement. In addition or as an alternative to a written response to a prepenalty notice issued pursuant to this section, the respondent or respondent's representative may contact the Office of Foreign Assets Control as advised in the prepenalty notice to propose the settlement of allegations contained in the prepenalty notice and related matters. In the event of settlement at the prepenalty stage, the claim proposed in the prepenalty notice will be withdrawn, the respondent will not be required to take a written position on allegations contained in the prepenalty notice, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control will make no final determination as to whether a violation occurred. The amount accepted in settlement of allegations in a prepenalty notice may vary from the civil penalty that might finally be imposed in the event of a formal determination of violation. In the event no settlement is reached, the 30-day period specified in paragraph (a) of this section for written response to the prepenalty notice remains in effect unless additional time is granted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
(b) Violation. If, after considering any response to a prepenalty notice and any relevant facts, the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control determines that there was a violation by the respondent named in the prepenalty notice, the Director promptly shall issue a written notice of the imposition of the monetary penalty to the respondent. The issuance of a written notice of the imposition of a monetary penalty shall constitute final agency action.
In the event that the respondent does not pay a penalty imposed pursuant to this part or make payment arrangements acceptable to the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control within 30 days of the date of mailing of a penalty notice, the matter may be referred for administrative collection measures by the Department of the Treasury or to the United States Department of Justice for appropriate action to recover the penalty in a civil suit in a Federal district court.
A civil penalty imposed pursuant to this subpart G is subject to judicial review only to the extent provided in 5 U.S.C. 702.
For license application procedures and procedures relating to amendments, modifications, or revocations of licenses; administrative decisions; rulemaking; and requests for documents pursuant to the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a), see part 501, subpart E of this chapter.
Any record or information obtained or created in the implementation of this part is not subject to disclosure under section 552(a)(3) of the Freedom of Information Act. Information required to be made available to the public under other provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) will be made available in accordance with §501.805(a) of this chapter.
Any action that the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to take pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act may be taken by the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control or by any other person to whom the Secretary of the Treasury has delegated authority so to act.

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