An indictment has been unsealed in San Diego, marking the first time alleged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel have been charged with narco-terrorism and material support of terrorism. The charges relate to trafficking large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin into the United States.
Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, are accused of leading the Beltran Leyva Organization (BLO), a faction within the Sinaloa Cartel known for its significant fentanyl production network. They face charges including narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Five other BLO leaders are also charged with drug trafficking and money laundering. This indictment follows President Trump's Executive Order 14157 designating the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, "The Sinaloa Cartel is a complex, dangerous terrorist organization and dismantling them demands a novel, powerful legal response." U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon emphasized that this indictment reflects justice against such organizations: “Operation Take Back America initiatives reflect the reality that narco-terrorists operate as a cancer within a state.”
Shawn Gibson from Homeland Security Investigations highlighted efforts to combat cartel-driven drug trafficking: “HSI and our law enforcement partners will not allow cartel-driven drug trafficking to threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods.” FBI Acting Special Agent Houtan Moshrefi added that BLO is allegedly responsible for some of the largest-ever drug seizures destined for the U.S.
Court documents reveal that since its inception, the Beltran Leyva faction has been involved in violent activities such as shootouts and kidnappings to sustain operations. The group controls territories throughout Mexico and traffics drugs while targeting officials.
The Southern District of California continues its pursuit against Mexican cartels through this indictment against Pedro Inzunza Noriega. Federal indictments are pending against other alleged leaders of both BLO and other factions within the Sinaloa Cartel.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Mellor and Matthew Sutton are prosecuting this case under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at eliminating cartels—and supported by agencies like Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI.
