Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terrance C. Cole announced on Apr. 29 the unsealing of an indictment charging Ruben Rocha Moya, Enrique Inzunza Cazarez, Enrique Diaz Vega, Damaso Castro Zaavedra, Marco Antonio Almanza Aviles, Alberto Jorge Contreras Nunez (also known as "Cholo"), Gerardo Merida Sanchez, Jose Antonio Dionisio Hipolito (also known as "Tornado"), Juan de Dios Gamez Mendivil, and Juan Valenzuela Millan (also known as "Juanito") with drug trafficking and related weapons offenses.
The defendants are current or former high-ranking government and law enforcement officials in Sinaloa, Mexico. They are accused of partnering with the Sinaloa Cartel to distribute large quantities of narcotics into the United States. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.
“The Sinaloa Cartel is a ruthless criminal organization that has flooded this community with dangerous drugs for decades,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “As the indictment lays bare, the Sinaloa Cartel, and other drug trafficking organizations like it, would not operate as freely or successfully without corrupt politicians and law enforcement officials on their payroll. The support of corrupt foreign officials for deadly trafficking of drugs must end. Let these charges send a clear message to all officials around the globe who work with narco-traffickers: no matter your title or position, we are committed to bringing you to justice.”
DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said: “The Sinaloa Cartel is not just trafficking deadly drugs, it is a designated terrorist organization that relies on corruption and bribery to drive violence and profit. This indictment exposes a deliberate effort to undermine public institutions and put American lives at risk. The defendants allegedly used positions of trust to protect cartel operations, enabling a pipeline of deadly drugs into our country. No one is above the law. We are grateful for our U.S. and Mexican partners who choose integrity every day and stand with us to safeguard our communities. Together, we will continue to apply sustained pressure against the Sinaloa Cartel and the networks that support it to protect the American people and save lives.”
According to allegations in court documents cited by prosecutors in this case—who emphasize these remain allegations—the indicted individuals used their official positions in government or law enforcement agencies across different levels within Sinaloa state structures in order to shield cartel leaders from investigation or arrest; share sensitive information about police activity; direct officers under their command toward protecting cartel activities; allow violence perpetrated by cartel members without consequence; accept bribes amounting collectively into millions; among other roles aiding drug smuggling operations involving fentanyl, heroin, cocaine,
and methamphetamine into United States territory.
Some defendants also allegedly participated directly in violent acts including murder or kidnapping tied back directly both financially—and operationally—to leadership figures within what prosecutors describe as "the Chapitos," sons of Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera (“El Chapo”). For example,
it is alleged that Governor Rocha Moya benefited from cartel assistance during his election campaign through intimidation tactics against rivals—and later met personally with Chapitos members while promising protection for their ongoing operations.
This latest indictment follows earlier actions since 2023 targeting more than thirty associates linked
to leadership ranks within this criminal network operating out from its base in Mexico’s northwest region but extending globally through partnerships spanning Colombia,
Venezuela,
and beyond.
All named individuals are believed currently residing inside Mexico boundaries.
Penalties upon conviction range up
to mandatory life sentences depending on specific charges per defendant listed.
