Two Mexican nationals, Jose Bibiano Cabrera-Cabrera and Jesus Humberto Limon-Lopez, have been taken into U.S. custody in Arizona as part of an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The individuals were secured from Mexico on February 27 and made their initial court appearances on February 28.
The two men are alleged to be involved with drug cartels recently designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, including the Sinaloa Cartel, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, Cártel del Noreste, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, and Cártel de Golfo. They are accused of importing large quantities of drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin into the United States.
Limon-Lopez faces multiple charges including Continuing Criminal Enterprise; Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine; Conspiracy to Import these substances; Distribution of each substance; and Conspiracy to Unlawfully Export Firearms and Ammunition. He could face life imprisonment if convicted.
Cabrera-Cabrera is charged with similar offenses: Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine; Conspiracy to Import these drugs; and Conspiracy to Unlawfully Export Firearms and Ammunition. He also faces a potential life sentence.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct. Individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative. This initiative establishes permanent multi-agency task force teams that collaborate on intelligence-driven operations targeting significant drug traffickers and transnational criminal organizations.
The OCDETF Arizona Strike Force includes agents from various agencies such as Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations (IRS CI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), United States Postal Service (USPS), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Arizona Army National Guard Counterdrug Task Force (AZNG CDTF), Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Pima County Sheriff’s Office PCSO) ,and Scottsdale Police Department SPD).
The prosecution is being managed by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.