Sinaloa Cartel Under Fire: US Seeks Extradition of 16 Members to Address Fentanyl Crisis

Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - DEA Chief Anne Milgram recently appeared before the House Appropriations Committee to discuss the formal extradition request for 16 Sinaloa Cartel members, including the "Chapitos," in an effort to combat their fentanyl trafficking operations. Milgram shared that they will also seek the immediate extradition of Ovidio Guzmán, known as "El Ratón," who was arrested by Mexican authorities in January.

"Our top priority is to bring these 16 Mexican individuals to the United States to face justice," stated Milgram.

US authorities claim that following Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán's arrest, the Chapitos, the children of El Chapo, gained greater control over the Sinaloa Cartel by allegedly instigating threats and violence, thus becoming the organization's primary leaders and drug traffickers.

Unsealed indictments from early April reveal the Sinaloa Cartel's involvement in drug trafficking activities into the US and acts of violence spanning over 15 years. The Chapitos are accused of transporting substantial amounts of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl on a regular basis.

The Chapitos allegedly utilized various means of transportation, including cargo planes, private aircraft, submarines, submersible vessels, container ships, supply vessels, speedboats, fishing vessels, buses, rail cars, tractor trailers, cars, and private and commercial interstate and commercial vessels.

The group allegedly maintained a network of post offices, tunnels, and hideouts across Mexico and the US to support their drug trafficking operations. The Chapitos reportedly used these networks to import drugs into the US.

The Southern District of New York unsealed charges of fentanyl trafficking, weapons, and money laundering against 28 defendants, encompassing three of the Chapitos and top-ranking members and leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel.