Introduction
The United States Department of Justice has announced the first-ever charges of narcoterrorism and material support for terrorism against two members of the Sinaloa Cartel (CDS). The accused are Pedro Insunza Noriega, also known as “El Sagitario,” and his son Pedro Insunza Coronel, known as “El Pichón.” Both are identified as leaders of a faction under the Beltrán Leyva Organization, which operates under the command of Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, also known as “El Chapo Isidro,” a member of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Accusations and Drug Trafficking
According to US authorities, Insunza Noriega is one of the primary distributors of cocaine and fentanyl in the United States. The charges filed in the federal court of San Diego, California allege that both individuals have trafficked tons of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and now fentanyl into the US.
“They are leaders of one of the most sophisticated fentanyl production networks in the world,” stated prosecutors during a press conference.
Insunza Noriega and his son are accused of narcotrafficking, money laundering, and leading the Beltrán Leyva Organization, a powerful and violent faction of the Sinaloa Cartel responsible for some of the largest seizures of fentanyl and cocaine destined for the US.
Additionally, five other criminal leaders associated with this group are charged with narcotrafficking and money laundering.
The Trump Effect
In this context, it is highlighted that these formal charges are a direct result of President Donald Trump’s executive order designating the Sinaloa Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.
“The Sinaloa Cartel is a complex and dangerous terrorist organization, and dismantling it requires an innovative and forceful legal response,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
“Those days of brutalizing the American people without consequences are over; we will seek life sentences for these terrorists,” she added.
Adam Gordon, the federal prosecutor for the Southern District of California, stated that the Operation Take Back America initiatives reflect the reality that narcoterrorists operate like a cancer within a state.
“Under Insunza Noriega’s leadership, the OBL is allegedly responsible for some of the largest seizures of fentanyl and cocaine destined for the US in history,” declared interim Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi of the San Diego FBI Office.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the accused? Pedro Insunza Noriega, also known as “El Sagitario,” and his son Pedro Insunza Coronel, known as “El Pichón.”
- What are the charges against them? Narcoterrorism, material support for terrorism, narcotrafficking, and money laundering.
- Which organizations are they associated with? The Sinaloa Cartel (CDS) and the Beltrán Leyva Organization, a violent faction of the CDS.
- What drugs are they accused of trafficking? Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and fentanyl.
- Why were these charges brought? As a direct result of President Donald Trump’s executive order designating the Sinaloa Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.
