A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel on charges related to drug conspiracy. The indictment accuses Jose Angel Canobbio Inzunza, 44, of manufacturing cocaine, fentanyl, and other drugs in Mexico and importing them into the United States.
The Northern District of Illinois returned the indictment on Monday. It alleges that Canobbio Inzunza served as a principal advisor, lieutenant, and security chief for Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar. Guzman Salazar and his three brothers allegedly led a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel after their father, Joaquin Guzman Loera's arrest and imprisonment. The indictment claims that Canobbio Inzunza conspired with these brothers—known as the "Chapitos"—to manufacture various drugs in Mexico for importation into the U.S.
Canobbio Inzunza is also accused of financing and leading an armed group called "Los Chimales," which provided security for the Guzman faction and assisted in drug importation efforts. The Chapitos have faced charges in other U.S. indictments over the past year.
Charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute controlled substances unlawfully imported into the United States, Canobbio Inzunza faces a potential life sentence if convicted. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors. He is believed to be residing in Mexico currently, with a U.S. warrant issued for his arrest.
The announcement was made by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois; U.S. Attorney Tara K. McGrath for the Southern District of California; FBI Washington Field Office Assistant Director David Sundberg; FBI San Diego Field Office Special Agent Stacey Moy; and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Arizona Special Agent Francisco B. Burrola.
The case is under investigation by both FBI and HSI agents.
Prosecuting this case are Trial Attorney Kirk Handrich from the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Erskine and Michelle Parthum from Illinois' Northern District; along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Sutton from California's Southern District.
This legal action forms part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at identifying, disrupting, and dismantling drug trafficking organizations threatening national security through coordinated multi-agency efforts involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an allegation, as all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.