Two top figures of the Sinaloa Cartel face narco-terrorism charges, accused of orchestrating the trafficking of large quantities of drugs into the U.S., as reported by federal authorities on Tuesday.
Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, were indicted in federal court on charges that include narco-terrorism, providing material support to terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering. They are identified as part of the Beltran Leyva Organization (BLO), a branch of the Sinaloa Cartel. Additionally, five other BLO leaders were charged with drug-related offenses and money laundering.
The charges come after the Trump administration designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on Feb. 20.
Court filings indicate that Noriega and his son collaborate closely in the production and active trafficking of fentanyl into the U.S., with claims that they head “one of the largest and most advanced fentanyl production networks globally.”
Rainbow colored fentanyl pills and fentanyl bricks with “Louis Vuitton” and “Rolls Royce” stamps. (DOJ)
Indictments are also pending against members of the BLO and Sinaloa Cartel, which include Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe, Pedro Inzunza Noriega, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, Ismael Zambada Sicairos and Jose Gil Caro Quintero.
All individuals, as well as Noriega and Coronel, remain at-large.
Adam Gordon, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, had a message for members of the Sinaloa Cartel during a press conference on Tuesday.
1,500-kilogram fentanyl seizure associated with the charges. (DOJ)
“Let me be direct: To the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, you are no longer the hunters. You are the hunted. You will be betrayed by your friends. You will be hounded by your enemies, and you will ultimately find yourself and your face here in a courtroom in the Southern District of California,” Gordon said.
