The Justice Department disclosed on Friday that criminal complaints have been filed in three federal districts against several alleged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, including four of Joaquín Guzmán Loera’s sons, connected to fentanyl and other drug trafficking activities.
A statement from the US Attorney General described the actions as targeting what is described as the world’s largest and most prolific fentanyl smuggling operation, allegedly coordinated by the cartel and fed by pharmaceutical components from international suppliers.
The charges, brought in the southern district of New York, the Northern District of Illinois, and the District of Columbia, involve nearly thirty individuals, among them four of El Chapo’s children. Seven defendants are reported to be in custody, though details about their status were not disclosed.
Message to the Chapitos
Anne Milgram, the director of the Drug Enforcement Administration, stated that the move sends a clear signal to the Chapitos and the Sinaloa cartel. The DEA will not relent in efforts to safeguard U.S. national security and protect American citizens from the harms of illicit drugs.
The Chapitos refer to the four Guzmán siblings: Iván Guzmán Salazar, 40; Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, 37; Joaquín Guzmán López, 36; and Ovidio Guzmán López, 33.
Authorities allege that the cartel used a mix of cargo aircraft, private planes, submarines, and other submersible or semi-submersible vessels, as well as container ships, fishing vessels, speedboats, buses, and wagons to move pharmaceuticals and chemical intermediates for drug production and distribution.
The State Department has offered rewards of up to 10 million dollars for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Iván, Alfredo, and Ovidio Guzmán, and up to 5 million dollars for Joaquín Guzmán, under the Narcotics Rewards Program. The announced rewards underscore the severity of the case and the perceived threat posed by the cartel’s activities.
U.S. authorities describe the Sinaloa cartel as one of the most powerful and influential suppliers of illicit fentanyl in North America. The drug is reportedly far more potent than heroin and has been identified as a leading factor in the rising number of fentanyl-related fatalities among adults aged 18 to 49 in the United States.
Officials emphasize that the ongoing enforcement efforts reflect a broad, international approach to disrupt the cartel’s supply chains and financial networks. The operations cited in the complaints leverage multiple modes of transport and global networks that extend beyond the borders of the United States, drawing attention to the international scope of modern drug trafficking operations.
Experts note that the investigation highlights the collaboration between national law enforcement agencies and international partners to dismantle criminal networks that pursue profit at the expense of public health and safety. The case illustrates how law enforcement aims to adapt to evolving smuggling tactics and the use of diverse conveyances to move illicit compounds around the world.
As authorities pursue these charges, the focus remains on preventing the flow of precursors and finished fentanyl products into the United States and on pursuing financial and logistical leaders who enable the operation. The overall objective is to reduce violence associated with drug trafficking and to mitigate the devastating impact of synthetic opioids on communities across North America.
In summary, the latest actions reflect a sustained commitment by U.S. agencies to pursue high-level targets within the Sinaloa Cartel and to deter criminal networks that threaten public health and security on a global scale. The case continues to unfold in federal courts across multiple districts, with authorities invoking coordinated investigative and prosecutorial strategies designed to disrupt the cartel’s operations and penalize those responsible for the most harmful activities.
Sources indicate that the charges align with ongoing efforts to curb the production and distribution of fentanyl in the United States, a concern shared by policymakers, public health officials, and law enforcement agencies alike. This multi-district case demonstrates the heightened focus on disrupting leadership figures within criminal enterprises and the use of complex transportation networks to move illegal substances worldwide. The information in this report is based on official announcements and subsequent statements by U.S. law enforcement and government officials. citation: DOJ press release, 2025