Well, two minutes ago, through his attorney, Zabaneh sent out a release saying he's no kingpin!

The release says, quote: Mr. Zabaneh and his companies categorically state that these wild and unsubstantiated accusations and any and all allegation of wrongdoing made…against him and his companies are false and highly defamatory."

It adds that quote, "Mr. Zabaneh and his companies are not engaged in drug trafficking, are not operatives of and have neither had nor currently have any affiliation or association with Joaquin Guzman Loera, the Sinaloa cartel or any other narco-trafficker whatsoever."

It also notes that, quote, "Mr. Zabaneh has never met nor heard of Daniel Moreno nor has he seen nor spoken with his nephew, Dion Zabaneh, for several years and does not know of his whereabouts."

And it also makes the case that Mayan King Limited is a legitimate business, employing over 750 workers, and generating over US$15 million in foreign exchange earnings per annum through exports of banana and citrus.

And that's really the rub. The release says, quote, "It is feared that these reckless fabrications may adversely affect the continuing operation of these businesses." Persons with a knowledge of the situation suggest that banks doing business with Mayan King may have their correspondent baking relationship with US banks threatened if they continue to do business with Mayan King.

According to the explosive release form the US Treasure Department yesterday, quote, (they are) "designating John Zabaneh for the prominent role that he and his organization play in narcotics trafficking in Central America, particularly Belize, as well as their role in the drug trafficking operations of Chapo Guzman and the Sinaloa Cartel.