“El Músico,” one of the leaders of the Beltrán Leyva Cartel, charged in the US with narcoterrorism

Óscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe, known as “El Músico” and one of the leaders of the Beltrán Leyva Cartel, was indicted in the Northern District of Illinois Court in Chicago, United States, on charges of narcoterrorism, drug possession, and firearms.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, Gastelum Iribe, 50, was charged with terrorism for participating in “narcoterrorism,” as well as for providing material support and resources to the Sinaloa Cartel, after the Trump administration designated it as a Foreign Terrorist Organization last February.

“El Músico” is also accused of overseeing the importation of large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs into the United States on behalf of the Beltrán Leyva faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, using vehicles, trucks, train cars, and other means of transport.

Furthermore, the charges allege that Gastelum Iribe attempted to protect the cartel’s illicit activities by attacking rivals, military personnel, and law enforcement. He is also accused of the murder of a Mexican police officer and two other individuals.

According to the document, “El Músico” served as one of the leaders of the Beltrán Leyva group after its founders were arrested or killed.

Once leading the organization, along with Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, alias “Chapo Isidro,” and Pedro Inzunza Coronel, alias “Sagitario,” Gastelum Iribe continued transporting drugs to the United States, including the Chicago area.

He is also accused of arming cartel members with machine guns, semi-automatic firearms, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and explosive devices, bribing public officials and law enforcement, and participating in numerous kidnappings and robberies.