Jesus Ricardo Patron Sanchez, known by various aliases including "H-3," was arraigned in Brooklyn federal court on February 22, 2025. He faces charges of leading a criminal enterprise, participating in a narcotics distribution conspiracy, and using firearms in connection with drug offenses. Arrested in Mexico in 2019 and extradited to the United States on February 21, Sanchez was ordered detained pending trial by U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.
U.S. Attorney John J. Durham and DEA Special Agent Matthew Allen announced the extradition and arraignment. Durham stated that Sanchez "was one of the principal leaders of the H-2 Drug Trafficking Organization," which he described as "a brutally violent transnational criminal organization" responsible for distributing dangerous drugs across American streets. He emphasized the commitment to bringing cartel leaders to justice.
Durham acknowledged contributions from several agencies, including the DEA's Las Vegas and Mexico City offices, U.S. Marshals Service, Department of State, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the Government of Mexico for their roles in securing Sanchez's arrest and extradition.
Allen highlighted the ongoing drug crisis facing the country: "Violent drug trafficking organizations like H-2 have been saturating our communities with poison." He reiterated the DEA's determination to combat these threats.
The indictment alleges that Sanchez led the H-2 Drug Trafficking Organization based in Nayarit and Sinaloa, Mexico. Following his brother Juan Francisco Patron Sanchez's death in 2017, he assumed leadership over this organization with extensive operations across multiple U.S. states including New York.
Between June 2013 and December 2016, Sanchez reportedly directed significant quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana into various parts of the United States while coordinating money laundering activities for illegal proceeds back to Mexico.
This case results from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aiming to dismantle serious drug trafficking networks through a multi-agency approach leveraging federal, state, and local law enforcement strengths against criminal entities.
Sanchez is presumed innocent until proven guilty; if convicted on certain charges he could face a mandatory life sentence.
The prosecution is handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew D. Wang and Raffaela S. Belizaire from the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section.
