DrugsNews

High-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel charged with international drug trafficking

Two indictments were unsealed in federal court that charge high-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel with international drug trafficking following investigations lead by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

A federal grand jury in Tucson returned superseding indictments against cartel members Aureliano Guzman-Loera of Sinaloa, Mexico, and brothers Ruperto, Jose, and Heriberto Salgueiro-Nevarez, of Guadalupe Y Calvo, Mexico.

The indictments allege various violations of United States law occurring over several years related to the international distribution of controlled substances, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana.

The Salgueiro-Nevarez brothers allegedly operate a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel known as the SNO, which stands for the Salgueiro-Nevarez Organization. Aureliano Guzman-Loera is the brother of former Sinaloa Cartel leader, Joaquin Guzman-Loera, “El Chapo”.

An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) assisted HSI in the SNO investigation. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecutions.