Sinaloa cartel

The FBI has added 'Carlitos Rugrats,' an alleged high-ranking member of the Sinaloa cartel, to its 'Most Wanted' list for trafficking fentanyl and other drugs into the United States through the San Diego region.

Carlos Paez Pereda, accused leader of the Sinaloa Cartel's Los Rugrats wing, faces narcoterrorism and drug trafficking charges. The Justice Department alleges he orchestrated a violent drug distribution network, facilitated cartel conflicts, and laundered millions. Federal agencies including the FBI and DEA are involved in the case.

A marine was killed and three others injured in an ambush by armed criminals in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, attributed to the 'Los Chapitos' faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. A subsequent clash in El Rosario resulted in 10 criminal deaths and the arrest of three Colombian nationals, with weapons and equipment seized.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez questioned U.S. involvement in the 2024 capture of Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, citing contradictions between U.S. statements. The Mexican government accused the FBI of claiming credit for the operation and suggested a U.S. pact with cartel members, while the U.S. Embassy denied collaboration. Mexican authorities plan to seek information from the FBI about the arrest.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives seized 140 firearms, including two .50-caliber rifles and a machine gun, from a Lincoln County home. Authorities allege the weapons were intended for smuggling to the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico. The operation also uncovered evidence of human trafficking, with ATF highlighting the seizure as a victory for border safety.

ICE has issued a new wanted poster for Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, two remaining sons of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman-Loera, with a $10 million reward. The fugitives are charged with drug conspiracy and operating a criminal enterprise, as part of efforts to dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel's leadership.

ICE has issued a new wanted poster for Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, two remaining sons of El Chapo, offering a $10 million reward. The brothers are charged with drug conspiracy and operating a criminal enterprise, as part of efforts to dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel's leadership.

The ATF seized 140 guns, ammunition, and evidence of human trafficking from a home in Lincoln County, which officials believe is part of a drug cartel armory. The weapons are suspected to be destined for Mexico to support the Sinaloa Cartel.

The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on individuals and companies linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel for a fuel theft and tax evasion scheme generating millions annually. Treasury also issued an alert to financial institutions about red flags for fuel smuggling from the U.S. into Mexico, as the cartel expands beyond drug trafficking.

The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on two Mexican men and nine companies linked to fuel theft and tax evasion for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, while issuing a bank alert to identify fuel smuggling red flags. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the cartel's expansion beyond drug trafficking to generate revenue.

The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on two Mexican men and nine companies linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (JNGC) for involvement in a fuel theft ring evading Mexican taxes. Treasury also issued a bank alert to financial institutions warning of fuel smuggling schemes tied to the cartel, which has expanded beyond drug trafficking to generate revenue.

The DEA has named the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) as top priorities in combating the fentanyl crisis. DEA Administrator Terry Cole emphasized the agency's focus on seizing fentanyl and targeting these cartels, which are listed as foreign terrorist organizations.

Two state police officers in Mexicali, Baja California, were killed in separate attacks, which authorities suspect are retaliatory actions linked to operations against the Los Rusos criminal group, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. The officers were off duty during the attacks, and the incidents followed recent security operations that resulted in the death of a high-ranking criminal and arrests.

Federal authorities in Mexico seized 24,400 liters of liquid methamphetamine in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, marking the second-largest drug bust in the country's history. One individual, Jorge 'N,' was arrested as part of the operation led by the National Guard and supported by the Mexican Army and FGR.

Former U.S. ambassador Ken Salazar's memoir claims former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador feared U.S. authorities might gain information from Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael Zambada about corrupt officials. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later contradicted this, stating AMLO's concern was U.S. interference in Zambada's 2024 arrest, which U.S. authorities denied orchestrating.

President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed a report detailing modern slavery in the Sierra Tarahumara region of Chihuahua, where drug cartels used forced labor in poppy and marijuana fields. She emphasized the federal government's presence in the area, while the report highlighted recruitment under false job offers and ongoing issues since 2015.

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson claimed the U.S. transferred 313 wanted criminals to Mexico under President Trump’s administration, contradicting Mexico’s assertion that none of its 269 extradition requests were fulfilled. Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Minister stated 36 requests were denied and 233 remain pending, while tensions persist over U.S. accusations against Sinaloa officials linked to drug trafficking.

Joel Ángel Bravo Martínez, mayor of San Miguel Amatitlán in Oaxaca, was killed by armed men who entered his home. He had requested government protection weeks earlier after reporting threats and a prior attack, but no measures were implemented. The Oaxaca Attorney General’s Office is investigating, and criminal groups are active in the region.

U.S. drug czar Sara Carter highlighted enhanced U.S.-Mexico security collaboration, citing a joint operation against CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes as an example of unprecedented cooperation. Carter attributed Mexico's cooperation to the influence of U.S. President Trump, emphasizing that Mexican officials understand his administration's enforcement stance.

The National Action Party (PAN) filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court against Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), alleging he forged pacts with criminal groups during his 2018-24 presidency. The complaint accuses AMLO and criminal organizations of possible crimes against humanity, including murder, enforced disappearances, and systemic collaboration with cartels like the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's popularity has dropped to its lowest level due to a U.S. corruption indictment against her close ally, Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya. U.S. prosecutors allege Rocha Moya used the Sinaloa cartel to aid his election victory, in exchange for protection and leaked information. Mexico's corruption perception rating has declined during Sheinbaum's and her predecessor's tenures.

Two Chinese nationals, Ruhuan Zhen and Hongce Wu, were indicted by the US Justice Department for allegedly laundering money for major drug cartels including the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG. The suspects remain at large and are accused of hiding the source of illegally obtained funds on behalf of various cross-border criminal groups.

Two Chinese nationals, Ruhuan Zhen and Hongce Wu, have been indicted in Virginia's Eastern District for allegedly conspiring to launder money for major transnational criminal organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG. The charges target their involvement in a transnational money laundering operation connected to drug trafficking cartels.

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned six Ethereum addresses connected to a Sinaloa Cartel money laundering operation that was allegedly converting drug trafficking proceeds into cryptocurrency. This action represents a significant enforcement effort against criminal organizations utilizing blockchain technology for financial crimes.

The U.S. Treasury Department's OFAC has designated two networks linked to the Sinaloa Cartel for fentanyl trafficking activities. Rodrigo Alarcon Palomares, a Mexican national associated with one of these networks, has been indicted in Colorado on three counts of laundering drug proceeds through cryptocurrency.

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned a cash-to-cryptocurrency laundering network connected to the Sinaloa Cartel that was allegedly used to launder proceeds from fentanyl trafficking. The sanctions target the infrastructure used to convert illicit drug profits into digital assets.

The US has imposed new sanctions targeting fentanyl distribution linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, with over 12 entities and individuals sanctioned. The sanctions aim to disrupt the cartel's fentanyl trafficking networks. The move is part of US efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on members of the Sinaloa Cartel involved in crypto-fueled fentanyl trafficking, specifically those responsible for laundering drug proceeds into cryptocurrency. The move aims to disrupt the cartel's financial operations. The sanctions target individuals linked to the cartel's cash-to-crypto conversion activities.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denies links between her Morena party and organized crime after two former officials surrender to US authorities over alleged cartel ties. The two former officials, Gerardo Mérida Sánchez and Enrique Díaz Vega, are from the Sinaloa state and were taken into custody in Arizona and New York respectively. This development puts pressure on President Sheinbaum.

Gerardo Mérida Sánchez, former secretary of public security for Mexico's Sinaloa state, surrendered to US authorities on charges of taking bribes to help the Sinaloa Cartel smuggle drugs into the U.S. He is one of 10 current or former Sinaloa government or law enforcement officials charged by the U.S. and faces 40 years to life in prison if convicted. Mérida Sánchez appeared in a U.S. court and was ordered jailed, with a possibility of bail at a later date.

Mexican Senator Lilly Téllez accused President Claudia Sheinbaum's government of protecting 'narco-politicians' after a US indictment against 10 current and former Mexican officials for working with the Sinaloa Cartel. The indictment alleges they protected fentanyl trafficking operations. Téllez claims Sheinbaum is refusing to extradite indicted officials to the US.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has questioned U.S. allegations linking Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya to drug cartels. U.S. prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging Rocha and nine others with alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel.

The U.S. Justice Department accused Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya and nine other officials of collaborating with the Sinaloa cartel. Mexico has requested evidence to support these U.S. drug charges.

The U.S. Justice Department accused Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya and nine other officials of collaborating with the Sinaloa cartel. Mexico has requested evidence to support these U.S. drug-related charges.

The US has indicted Mexican Governor Ruben Rocha Moya and nine others, alleging they collaborated with cartel leaders. The charges involve current and former officials from the Sinaloa region.

The US Justice Department has charged the governor of Sinaloa and nine other current and former Mexican officials with drug trafficking, weapons offenses, and kidnapping, accusing them of aiding the Sinaloa cartel in importing illicit narcotics. Some officials belong to Mexico’s ruling party Morena, complicating President Claudia Sheinbaum’s political position amid pressure from the Trump administration.

The U.S. indicted Mexican Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and ten officials for collaborating with the Sinaloa Cartel, including drug trafficking and murder. Mexico rejected the charges, citing lack of evidence, and threatened diplomatic protests. The U.S. emphasized a shared commitment to combating corruption despite tensions.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa bans on 75 family members and associates of the Sinaloa cartel, expanding Trump-era sanctions to target those profiting from cartel activities. The Sinaloa cartel, designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2025, faces intensified U.S. measures including military intervention and criminal penalties.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa bans on 75 family members and associates linked to the Sinaloa cartel, expanding the Trump administration's crackdown on drug traffickers and those profiting from illicit activities. The Sinaloa cartel was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization in February 2025, enabling stricter U.S. penalties and military actions.

The US State Department has imposed visa restrictions on 75 individuals linked to the Sinaloa Cartel to disrupt their drug trafficking operations, including the smuggling of illicit fentanyl. The action targets family members and business associates of cartel members.