Sinaloa cartel indictment names Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and nine officials in New York

The governor of Mexico’s Sinaloa state and nine other current or former officials were charged in the US. Court papers unsealed on Wednesday in New York listed drug trafficking and weapons offences. Prosecutors accused the group of helping move large amounts of illegal drugs into the United States. US federal officials said none of the defendants were in custody.

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The indictment was unsealed in Manhattan federal court and named officials from Sinaloa government and law enforcement. It included Rubén Rocha Moya, who has been governor since November 2021. Prosecutors said some defendants took part in the cartel’s violence and reprisals. The case also alleged close links to a Sinaloa cartel faction.

Sinaloa cartel charges and alleged links

Authorities alleged the officials aligned with the group led by the sons of Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán. Guzmán is serving a life sentence in a US prison. Investigators said the defendants played key roles in shipping fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine from Mexico. The indictment described support that helped the cartel operate across the border.

US Attorney Jay Clayton said the Sinaloa cartel had harmed communities for decades. He said: "As the indictment lays bare, the Sinaloa Cartel, and other drug trafficking organisations like it, would not operate as freely or successfully without corrupt politicians and law enforcement officials on their payroll.\" Clayton also called the cartel a ruthless criminal organisation.

Morena officials named in Sinaloa cartel case

Among those indicted were at least three officials tied to Morena, the party of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Prosecutors listed Rocha, the governor, plus the mayor of Sinaloa’s capital and a senator. Other accused officials held roles without party links, according to the court papers. The indictment covered both current and former office holders.

Sinaloa’s governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. US officials announced the charges in a news release. The court filing described a network of alleged support that helped the cartel’s trafficking and armed operations. The charges were made public after the New York court unsealed the indictment.

US anti-corruption campaign and Sinaloa cartel allegations

The charges followed comments last week from US Ambassador to Mexico Ron Johnson. Johnson said the US administration would launch an anti-corruption campaign targeting Mexican officials linked to organised crime. Johnson said: \"Corruption not only hinders progress, it distorts it. It increases costs, weakens competition, and erodes the trust upon which markets depend. It is not a problem without victims, Johnson said.\"

Claudia Sheinbaum responded on Monday and said the government had not seen evidence for the corruption claims. Sheinbaum said: \"Any investigation in the United States against any person in Mexico must have evidence reviewed by the Mexican Attorney Generals Office, Sheinbaum said.\" The case remains pending, and US authorities said no defendants were in custody.

With inputs from PTI