United States Attorney Tara K. McGrath | U.S. Department of Justice
Keith Octavio Rodriguez Padilla, a firearms trafficker, has been sentenced to 19.5 years in federal prison for supplying weapons and ammunition to the Sinaloa Cartel. This sentencing marks a significant development in a broader investigation into the Valenzuela Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO), a key component of the cartel involved in large-scale drug trafficking operations.
The Valenzuela TCO was known for importing cocaine from South America and Mexico into the United States, distributing it nationwide, and returning proceeds to its leaders in Mexico. The organization also dealt with other controlled substances such as fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana.
Court records indicate that in 2020, the Valenzuela TCO was engaged in violent conflict with another faction of the Sinaloa Cartel led by Ivan Archivaldo Guzman-Salazar. This internal strife prompted the group to amass large quantities of firearms and ammunition from sources within the United States.
Rodriguez Padilla played a crucial role as a broker for these arms deals. He facilitated the supply of various firearms including .50 caliber rifles, submachine guns, grenade launchers, assault rifles like AK-47s and AR-15s, as well as handguns. These weapons were smuggled through entry points in San Diego and Arizona into Mexico.
In November 2020, agents seized $3 million in cash and substantial amounts of drugs during a raid on a truck yard linked to the Valenzuela TCO in San Diego. Among other items found were 20,000 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition purchased by Rodriguez Padilla for the cartel.
The investigation has so far resulted in charges against 109 individuals and seizures including 2,000 kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl alongside more than $16 million in cash.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath stated: “Guns and ammunition smuggled into Mexico support cartels and empower drug traffickers.” She emphasized that this case aims to dismantle cartel infrastructure across various operations including drug importation and arms trafficking.
Shawn Gibson from Homeland Security Investigations highlighted the collaborative efforts leading to today's sentencing: “This extensive investigation highlights our unwavering commitment to protecting our country...from illegal firearms trafficking.”
DEA Special Agent Brian Clark noted that "weapons trafficking fuels drug-related violence" while IRS Special Agent Tyler Hatcher stressed that such activities endanger American citizens by facilitating deadly drugs entering the U.S.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Sutton and Mikaela Weber are prosecuting this case under an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces initiative aimed at disrupting major criminal organizations through coordinated multi-agency efforts.
