‘Deadly Drugs’: DOJ Announces Major Indictment

Attorney General Pamela Bondi

An indictment unsealed on May 13 charges leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel with narco-terrorism and material support of terrorism for allegedly trafficking large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin into the United States. The indictment involves Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, along with five other leaders from the Beltran Leyva Organization, reportedly linked to the world’s largest fentanyl production network. Under Pedro Inzunza Noriega, the Beltran Leyva Organization has allegedly engaged in violence, including shootouts and kidnappings, to control territories like Tijuana. In this photo gallery, we review the indictment.

Adam Gordon speaks at a signing ceremony

ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson said, “These charges highlight the unwavering efforts of transnational criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel to flood our communities with deadly drugs.”

Redbud trees bloom in the Peninsula Neighborhood

Gibson added, “HSI and our law enforcement partners will not allow cartel-driven drug trafficking to threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods. We are all laser-focused on a unified effort to dismantle these networks and their factions in bringing those responsible to justice.”

A press conference on the Sinaloa Cartel

The Inzuna family reportedly trafficked significant amounts of fentanyl into the U.S., evidenced by a seizure of 1,500 kilograms (over 1.65 tons) by Mexican law enforcement.

Trump at the U.S. Capitol

The indictment resulted from President Trump's Executive Order 14157, which designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California described narco-terrorists as a threat to law and order.

Homeland Security Special Agent Shawn Gibson

These indictments mark the first actions by the newly established Narco-Terrorism Unit in the Southern District of California after the swearing-in of U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. Federal drug trafficking indictments are pending against additional leaders of the Beltran Leyva faction.

Pam Bondi at a committee hearing

Attorney General Pamela Bondi said, “The Sinaloa Cartel is a complex, dangerous terrorist organization, and dismantling them demands a novel, powerful legal response.” Bondi added, “Their days of brutalizing the American people without consequence are over — we will seek life in prison for these terrorists.”

Narcotics seized by authorities

Gordon said, “Operation Take Back America initiatives reflect the reality that narco-terrorists operate as a cancer within a state.” He added, “They metastasize violence, corruption, and fear. If left unchecked, their growth would lead to the death of law and order."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation logo

Gordon stated, "This indictment is what justice looks like when the full measure of the Department of Justice, along with its law enforcement partners, is brought to bear against the Sinaloa Cartel.”

Grace Hall covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.