A coordinated law enforcement operation has dealt a significant blow to the Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations. Authorities have arrested 25 suspected members of a drug-trafficking network linked to the cartel and seized millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.
The operation, led by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), targeted a network operating out of the Imperial Valley and Mexicali, Mexico. The group is allegedly connected to “Los Rusos,” a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel loyal to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
Over 140 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers participated in the operation, executing 15 search warrants across California, Arizona, and Nevada. The seized drugs, including over 8,000 pounds of methamphetamine, have an estimated street value of approximately $72 million.
The arrests and seizures highlight the ongoing battle against the Sinaloa Cartel, which has been plagued by internal conflict between “Los Chapitos,” the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and “Los Rusos.” Both factions are vying for control of drug trafficking routes and profits.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath emphasized the devastating impact of these drugs on communities: “This investigation represents another blow to traffickers of deadly drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. We are committed to dismantling these dangerous operations and ensuring that those who fuel the crisis are held accountable.”
Shawn Gibson, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego, praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies: “By working together, we can disrupt and dismantle these transnational networks that plague our communities and tear families apart.”
The operation underscores the ongoing challenge of combating the Sinaloa Cartel’s influence and its ability to smuggle drugs into the U.S.
11 November 2024
