Alleged Guatemalan drug kingpin Eugenio Dario Molina-Lopez, also known as "Don Dario," was arrested in San Diego and made his initial appearance in federal court on April 24. Molina-Lopez is accused of leading Los Huistas, a transnational criminal organization based in the Huehuetenango region of northwest Guatemala that borders Mexico.
The arrest is significant due to the scale of the alleged cocaine trafficking operation attributed to Los Huistas. The investigation, called Operation Guerrilla Unit, was led by Homeland Security Investigations along with agencies from both the United States and Guatemala. Authorities said it targeted high-level traffickers and involved cooperation across multiple law enforcement bodies.
Molina-Lopez was indicted on January 29, 2019, for conspiracy to distribute cocaine intended for unlawful importation and conspiracy to distribute cocaine on board a vessel. In March 2022, the U.S. Department of State announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction under its Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP). The NRP has helped bring more than 75 transnational criminals and major narcotics traffickers to justice since its inception in 1986.
The U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control also designated Los Huistas Drug Trafficking Organization and Molina-Lopez under Executive Order 14059 for drug trafficking activities threatening security in both the United States and Guatemala.
“Cartel leaders don’t get to write the end of their stories. We do,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “And once again, the final chapter for a man alleged to be one of the world’s most notorious and prolific cocaine traffickers is here in the Southern District of California.”
“This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of the Homeland Security Task Force and our partnerships with agencies across the United States and Guatemala,” said Kevin Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, San Diego. “HSI and our law enforcement partners were able to dismantle a major transnational criminal organization responsible for trafficking massive quantities of cocaine and threatening the security of both nations. This operation underscores the importance of a whole-of-government approach and the relentless commitment of HSI and our partners to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law.”
At his hearing Friday, Molina-Lopez pleaded not guilty; further proceedings are scheduled before Judge Dana M. Sabraw on May 11 at 9 a.m., with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mokhtari prosecuting.
Authorities emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
