US charges governor of Mexico’s Sinaloa state over alleged cartel trafficking ties

The US Justice Department said Wednesday that it charged the governor of Mexico’s Sinaloa state, Ruben Rocha Moya, along with nine other officials over alleged ties to cartel trafficking activities.

“The Sinaloa Cartel is a ruthless criminal organization that has flooded this community with dangerous drugs for decades,” US Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement.

According to court filings, the cartel built a global narcotics network spanning Latin America and beyond while maintaining a strong operational base in Sinaloa.

The indictment also details alleged links to a faction of the cartel led by the sons of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, known as the “Chapitos.”

The charges form part of a broader crackdown by US authorities, who say they have indicted more than 30 cartel members and associates since 2023 in an effort to disrupt the organization’s operations.