Operation Take Back America: Sinaloa cartel leaders charged with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking in first-in-the-nation indictment
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| Leaders are calling this a milestone case. The indictment, which was just unsealed is the first-of-its-kind in the nation. |
SAN DIEGO — U.S. officials have formally charged leaders of the Sinaloa cartel with terrorism-related charges related to trafficking drugs into the United States. The DOJ says this indictment is a result of President Trump’s Executive Order 14157, which designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and the Secretary of State’s subsequent designation of the same on February 20, 2025.
It is the first indictment from the newly formed Narco-Terrorism Unit which was established upon the swearing in of U.S. Attorney Gordon on April 11, 2025.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the unsealed indictment on Tuesday, charging alleged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel with narco-terrorism and material support of terrorism in connection with trafficking massive amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin into the United States.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon stated, "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 your fate here in the Southern District of California.”
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| Pedro Inzunza Noriega |
According to the DOJ, Pedro Inzunza Noriega (aka “Sagitario,” aka “120,”aka “El De La Silla”) and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel (Aka “Pichon,” Aka “Pajaro,” Aka “Bird”), are facing narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering charges as alleged key leaders of the Beltran Leyva Organization, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel that is believed to be the world’s largest known fentanyl production network.
Five other BLO leaders are also charged with drug trafficking and money laundering, the DOJ reports:
According to court documents, since its beginning, the Beltran Leyva faction has been considered one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations to operate in Mexico, engaging in shootouts, murders, kidnappings, torture and violent collection of drug debts to sustain its operations.
The court alleges “the Beltran Leyva faction controls several territories and plazas throughout Mexico — including Tijuana — and operates with violent impunity, trafficking in deadly drugs, threatening communities, and targeting key officials, all while making millions of dollars from their criminal activities.”
According to the indictment, Pedro Inzunza Noriega worked with his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, to produce and traffic fentanyl to the United States.
Court documents allege that the father and son were leading one of the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl production networks in the world. Over the past several years, they are alleged to have trafficked tens of thousands of kilograms of fentanyl into the United States.
On December 3, 2024, Mexican law enforcement raided multiple locations in Sinaloa that reportedly were controlled and managed by the father and son, seizing 1,500 kilograms (more than 1.65 tons) of fentanyl — which is reported to be the largest seizure of fentanyl in the world.
Five other BLO leaders are also charged with drug trafficking and money laundering, the DOJ reports:
- David Alejandro Heredia Velazquez (Aka “Tano,” Aka “Mr. Jordan”)
- Oscar Rene Gonzalez Menendez (Aka “Rubio”)
- Elias Alberto Quiros Benavides
- Daniel Eduardo Bojorquez (Aka “Chopper”)
- Javier Alonso Vazquez Sanchez (Aka “Tito”, Aka “Drilo”)
According to court documents, since its beginning, the Beltran Leyva faction has been considered one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations to operate in Mexico, engaging in shootouts, murders, kidnappings, torture and violent collection of drug debts to sustain its operations.
The court alleges “the Beltran Leyva faction controls several territories and plazas throughout Mexico — including Tijuana — and operates with violent impunity, trafficking in deadly drugs, threatening communities, and targeting key officials, all while making millions of dollars from their criminal activities.”
According to the indictment, Pedro Inzunza Noriega worked with his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, to produce and traffic fentanyl to the United States.
Court documents allege that the father and son were leading one of the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl production networks in the world. Over the past several years, they are alleged to have trafficked tens of thousands of kilograms of fentanyl into the United States.
On December 3, 2024, Mexican law enforcement raided multiple locations in Sinaloa that reportedly were controlled and managed by the father and son, seizing 1,500 kilograms (more than 1.65 tons) of fentanyl — which is reported to be the largest seizure of fentanyl in the world.
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| Fausto Isidro Meza Flores |
- Fausto Isidro Meza Flores (aka “Chapo Isidro”)
- Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe (aka “El Musico”)
- Pedro Inzunza Noriega (aka “Sagitario”)
- Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar (aka “El Chapito”)
- Ismael Zambada Sicairos (aka “Mayito Flaco”)
- Jose Gil Caro Quintero (aka “El Chino”)