From my understanding of the article, they are Cuban beans.
TL:DR - Funds routed through the US are subject to US laws and regulation, no matter if the origin, and terminating point consider the act legal.
Long:
If they held the funds, it's because someone at the ACH saw the business name, and automatically assumed that there was a potential liability (that happens, it's rare, but they will shut you out until you talk to them to prove your innocence).
If they were the more enterprising type, the person who made the call looked up their web site and read how they purchase their beans from Cuba. While fully legal in Canada, if the funds are routed through the US(I can almost guarantee it), JP Morgan can be held liable, and as such they would like to avoid the repercussions of the US government.
TL:DR - Funds routed through the US are subject to US laws and regulation, no matter if the origin, and terminating point consider the act legal.
Long: If they held the funds, it's because someone at the ACH saw the business name, and automatically assumed that there was a potential liability (that happens, it's rare, but they will shut you out until you talk to them to prove your innocence).
If they were the more enterprising type, the person who made the call looked up their web site and read how they purchase their beans from Cuba. While fully legal in Canada, if the funds are routed through the US(I can almost guarantee it), JP Morgan can be held liable, and as such they would like to avoid the repercussions of the US government.