An indictment unsealed today marks a significant legal action against the alleged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel. Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, face charges of narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering as prominent figures in the Beltran Leyva Organization (BLO), a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel reputed to operate one of the largest fentanyl production networks globally.
The indictment follows President Trump's Executive Order 14157, which classified the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized that "the Sinaloa Cartel is a complex, dangerous terrorist organization," adding that efforts to dismantle it will involve seeking life imprisonment for those charged.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California noted that this legal action reflects "what justice looks like when the full measure of the Department of Justice along with its law enforcement partners is brought to bear against the Sinaloa Cartel." Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson from ICE Homeland Security Investigations highlighted ongoing efforts to prevent cartel-driven drug trafficking from affecting communities.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi from the FBI's San Diego Field Office stated that BLO's operations under Inzunza Noriega's leadership have led to some of history's largest fentanyl and cocaine seizures intended for U.S. markets. These activities not only harm individuals but also pose national security risks.
According to court documents, since its formation, BLO has been involved in violent acts including shootouts and kidnappings to maintain its drug trafficking operations across Mexico. The indictment outlines their extensive involvement in producing and distributing fentanyl into the United States over several years.
This case continues a pattern in California's Southern District targeting major Mexican cartel leaderships, with indictments pending against various high-ranking members within these organizations. The recent actions are part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations by leveraging resources from multiple law enforcement agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Mellor and Matthew Sutton are prosecuting this case as part of ongoing efforts under OCDETF programs designed to disrupt high-level drug trafficking networks.