Octavio Leal-Hernandez, also known as Chapito Leal, appeared in a federal court in San Diego following his extradition from Mexico. Leal-Hernandez is accused of leading a cell within the Sinaloa Cartel and trafficking significant quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana into the United States.
In May 2020, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of California indicted Leal-Hernandez on charges of International Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances. During the hearing, he pleaded not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara L. Major. The judge agreed with the government's request to hold him without bond until trial. His next court appearance is set for March 10, 2025.
The government submitted a memorandum describing Leal-Hernandez as a leader within the Sinaloa Cartel's Beltran-Leyva faction, aligned with Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, also known as Chapo Isidro. Between January and April 2012, intercepted communications revealed his role in organizing drug distribution from Tijuana to Southern California and other parts of the U.S., including acts of violence related to these activities.
Further investigations confirmed that until his arrest in 2020, Leal-Hernandez continued to manage drug trafficking operations in Tijuana. He was responsible for overseeing shipments and coordinating logistics for distributing drugs across California and beyond.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath stated: "This appearance in an American court is the result of our unwavering pursuit of those who perpetuate violence and push narcotics into our communities." Shawn Gibson from Homeland Security Investigations highlighted this case as "a significant victory" against narcotics trafficking due to collaborative efforts between agencies.
DEA Special Agent Brian Clark emphasized that drug traffickers will be held accountable: "The capture and extradition of Leal-Hernandez is a reminder... there is nowhere to hide." FBI Special Agent Stacey Moy added that international cartels cause harm by importing lethal narcotics and committing violent acts.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Mellor is prosecuting this case. The U.S. Marshals Service facilitated Leal-Hernandez's transfer from Mexico to California.
Leal-Hernandez faces charges under Title 21 of the United States Code for International Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances with potential life imprisonment sentences if convicted.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Coast Guard, and support from Mexico's law enforcement through the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
This prosecution forms part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative aimed at dismantling major drug traffickers through multi-agency collaboration.