The U.S. Department of Justice has unsealed an indictment against Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and nine other Mexican officials and former officials, alleging drug trafficking offenses, weapons-related crimes, and ties to the Sinaloa Cartel.
The indictment was brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which allege that the individuals involved conspired with cartel leaders to facilitate drug trafficking into the United States in exchange for bribes and political support.
According to a statement from the Department of State, the case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.
According to the indictment, the officials allegedly used their positions within the state government and security agencies to protect the operations of the Sinaloa Cartel—specifically the faction known as “Los Chapitos.”
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton asserted that the cartel’s operations rely heavily on networks of corruption within government institutions.
“The Sinaloa Cartel would not operate with such freedom or success without corrupt politicians and law enforcement officials on its payroll,” he stated.
