Washington has accused the governor of the Mexican state of Sinaloa and nine other current or former officials of conspiring with one of the world’s most powerful drug cartels, alleging they helped smuggle narcotics into the United States.
The US Department of Justice has charged the governor of the Mexican state of Sinaloa and nine other current and former officials with alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and facilitating the export of drugs into the United States. None of the accused are currently in custody, though the Mexican government has received “several requests” for extradition.
Among the charges faced by Sinaloa’s governor, Rubén Rocha Moya, 76, are conspiracy to import drugs, possession of firearms and explosive devices, and an additional conspiracy count. He faces a potential life sentence or a mandatory minimum term of 40 years in prison. Mr Rocha Moya has said he “categorically and completely rejects” the allegations, describing the justice department’s action as an “attack” on Mexico’s ruling party and its leaders.
According to the indictment, some of the Mexican officials personally took part in the activities of the Sinaloa Cartel and played a “crucial role” in aiding the trafficking of drugs. “The Sinaloa Cartel and other similar drug-trafficking organisations could not operate so freely and successfully without corrupt politicians and law enforcement officers on their payroll,” said Jay Clayton, the US attorney, in a statement.
The unsealed indictment follows a declaration by the US ambassador to Mexico, Ron Johnson, that the US administration would launch an anti-corruption campaign against Mexican officials he said were linked to organised crime. Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has said her government has seen no evidence to support the corruption charges.
