A high-ranking affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel has been indicted by a grand jury in Chicago on charges related to drug conspiracy. The indictment accuses Ceferino Espinoza Angulo, 43, of manufacturing and distributing drugs such as fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin into the United States.
Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division stated, “As alleged, the defendant conspired to traffic dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States — and employed dozens of gunmen to protect his drug trafficking operation and the leadership of the Guzman faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.” She emphasized that stopping Mexican cartels from distributing narcotics is a priority for the Administration.
Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois highlighted the impact of fentanyl on communities, saying, “Our nation’s fentanyl crisis has devastated individuals and families in northern Illinois and throughout the country.” He assured continued efforts with law enforcement partners to disrupt drug trafficking operations.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath for the Southern District of California remarked on nationwide efforts against traffickers: “From San Diego to Chicago to D.C., we are united to bring down the traffickers pushing these poisons into American communities.”
Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division reinforced their commitment: “This indictment reinforces the FBI’s unwavering commitment to hold accountable those who endanger our communities and traffic violence and drugs across our borders.”
Court documents reveal that Espinoza Angulo allegedly supported leaders within "the Chapitos," a faction within the Sinaloa Cartel led by sons of Joaquin Guzman Loera. He is accused of conspiring to obtain precursor chemicals for fentanyl production and illegally possessing a machinegun as part of his operations.
Espinoza Angulo faces charges related to drug conspiracy and firearm offenses. If convicted, he could face 30 years to life imprisonment. He is believed to be in Mexico with an arrest warrant issued by U.S. authorities.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from other federal entities. Trial attorneys from various districts prosecuted this case under an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling criminal networks threatening U.S. security.
It is important to note that an indictment remains an allegation until proven otherwise in court.