A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel, Jose Angel Canobbio Inzunza, on charges related to drug conspiracy. The indictment accuses Canobbio Inzunza of manufacturing cocaine, fentanyl, and other drugs in Mexico for importation into the United States.
According to the Northern District of Illinois indictment returned on Monday, Canobbio Inzunza, 44, acted as a principal advisor, lieutenant, and security chief for Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar. Guzman Salazar and his three brothers allegedly lead a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel following their father Joaquin Guzman Loera's arrest. The indictment alleges that Canobbio Inzunza collaborated with the brothers—referred to as "the Chapitos"—to produce and distribute drugs such as cocaine and fentanyl from Mexico into the U.S.
The document also states that Canobbio Inzunza managed an armed security group called "Los Chimales," which supported the Guzman faction by securing drug imports into the United States. The Chapitos have faced charges in other U.S. indictments over the past year.
Canobbio Inzunza is charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute controlled substances unlawfully imported into the United States. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will decide his sentence based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors. Currently believed to reside in Mexico, a warrant has been issued for his arrest in the United States.
The announcement was made by several officials including Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of 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 Arizona Special Agent Francisco B. Burrola.
The FBI and HSI are conducting investigations into this case.
Prosecutors include Trial Attorney Kirk Handrich from the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Erskine and Michelle Parthum for Northern Illinois, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Sutton for Southern California.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aiming to dismantle drug trafficking organizations through collaboration among various enforcement agencies.
An indictment serves only as an allegation, with all defendants considered innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
