Sinaloa cartel leaders charged with narco-terrorism after a major fentanyl seizure exposed one of the world’s most dangerous drug operations. U.S. federal authorities revealed the charges in an indictment unsealed on Tuesday.
Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, now face multiple federal charges. These include narco-terrorism, material support for terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Prosecutors say both men are top members of the Beltran Leyva Organization (BLO), a powerful offshoot of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Five other BLO members were also charged with drug trafficking and money laundering. All are believed to be key figures in the cartel’s global drug supply chain.
The charges follow a December 2024 raid in Mexico. Authorities seized over 1.65 tons of fentanyl during the operation, which targeted a sophisticated cartel-run production network.
Federal prosecutors claim Noriega and his son operated “one of the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl production networks in the world.” The indictment alleges they aggressively trafficked massive quantities of fentanyl into the United States.
Officials said the pair used advanced logistics and underground networks to move narcotics across borders. The indictment also claims cartel profits were laundered through a global web of shell companies and real estate investments.
The charges come after President Trump’s February decision to designate the Sinaloa Cartel a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The move allows U.S. law enforcement to pursue cartel leaders with broader legal tools and harsher penalties.
The Biden administration has continued this hardline stance. Officials say the charges reflect the national security threat posed by cartel-driven fentanyl smuggling.
Sinaloa cartel leaders charged with narco-terrorism in what authorities describe as a decisive step toward dismantling the deadly network. The Department of Justice emphasized its commitment to disrupting drug trafficking and holding cartel leaders accountable.
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