Sinaloa Cartel Leaders Charged With Narco-Terrorism

U.S. federal prosecutors have, for the first time, charged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel with narco-terrorism and providing material support for terrorism, following the Trump administration's designation of the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization. The indictment targets Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son Pedro Inzunza Coronel, alleged leaders of the Beltrán Leyva Organization—a Sinaloa Cartel faction believed to run the world’s largest fentanyl production network. Authorities allege the pair trafficked tens of thousands of kilograms of fentanyl and other drugs into the U.S. and directed violent tactics including murders, kidnappings, torture, and armed confrontations. In December 2024, a coordinated raid resulted in the seizure of more than 1.65 tons of fentanyl, the globe’s largest such seizure, from cartel-controlled sites. Five additional high-ranking Beltrán Leyva Organization members were charged with drug trafficking and money laundering, though all defendants remain at large. U.S. officials described the narco-terrorism charges as a milestone and intend to seek life sentences for those involved.