The United States department of justice has announced the disbandment of Task Force KleptoCapture, a unit set up in 2022 to target Russian oligarchs following the invasion of Ukraine.
The task force was established to cut off the financial networks of wealthy associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin and enforce sanctions aimed at punishing those facilitating violations of sanctions and export controls.
A memo from Pam Bondi, the attorney general, said the task force’s closure is part of a broader shift in focus and resources toward combating drug cartels and transnational gangs.
“This policy requires a fundamental change in mindset and approach,” Bondi wrote in the directive on Wednesday.
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She added that resources currently devoted to enforcing sanctions and seizing assets from oligarchs will be redirected to tackling cartel activities.
Prosecutors assigned to Task Force KleptoCapture will now return to their previous roles.
The directive noted that the changes will be in effect for 90 days and could be extended or made permanent.
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Since its creation, the task force seized several high-value assets, including luxury yachts belonging to Russian billionaires Suleiman Kerimov and Viktor Vekselberg.
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