Federal authorities have charged Sinaloa Cartel leaders Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, with narco-terrorism following the seizure of 1.65 tons of fentanyl. This marks the first case brought by the Justice Department’s newly formed Narco-Terrorism Unit.
The charges stem from the cartel’s alleged role in managing one of the world’s largest fentanyl production networks, trafficking tens of thousands of kilograms of the potent drug into the United States. The indictments follow the Trump administration’s February 20 designation of the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Mexican authorities seized over 1.65 tons of fentanyl during December 3, 2024, raids on cartel-operated sites in Sinaloa. Five other leaders of the Beltrán Leyva Organization (BLO), a Sinaloa Cartel faction, also face drug and money laundering charges. Despite the indictments, all accused individuals, including Noriega and Coronel, remain fugitives.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon warned cartel leaders that they are now being pursued aggressively and assured that justice will be served in court. “Let me be direct: To the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, you are no longer the hunters. You are the hunted,” Gordon said during a May 13 press conference.
The Beltrán Leyva Organization is known for violent acts including shootouts, kidnappings, torture, and murder, and it maintains control over drug trafficking in Central America and parts of Mexico, including Tijuana. The organization’s involvement in the fentanyl trade has contributed significantly to the opioid crisis in the United States.
The Trump administration’s designation of the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization allows for the application of terrorism-related legal standards typically reserved for politically motivated groups to drug cartels. This move reflects a broader strategy to combat the fentanyl crisis by targeting the organizations responsible for its proliferation.
Gordon further emphasized the new reality facing Sinaloa Cartel members. “You will be betrayed by your friends. You will be hounded by your enemies, and you will ultimately find yourself and your face here in a courtroom in the Southern District of California,” he said.
