Cartel Sinaloa And Cartel Jalisco Trafficked Drugs For Fierarms

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

Video translation is as follows:

And meanwhile, in the United States, a network of importers and distributors of fentanyl and methamphetamine with strong ties to Mexican drug trafficking was dismantled after months of investigation.

The United States Department of Justice struck down one of the most revealing methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking networks in that country. Through various operations they arrested 16 people.

The drug came from California and was distributed in various counties in Washington. Intelligence work reveals that the group extended its operations to the southeastern United States. Including Florida, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

This is an investigation that began in February 2020. In which it was discovered that this group exchanged drugs for weapons. Which could be taken to Mexico for criminal groups. That is, for the various groups that dispute drug corridor in various entities such as Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Jalisco, Baja California, and Guanajuato.

The US authorities didn’t release the names of the Mexican groups linked to the drug-for-weapons exchange. But according to the DEA, the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartel are the ones who have the largest drug market in that country.

The Sinaloa Cartel, through Los Chapitos and Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada traffics both methamphetamine and fentanyl to the United States. While the cartel led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes aka ‘El Mencho’ has a large fentanyl business.

Mainly on the west coast of the American Union. The first operation to dismantle the network occurred on May 16, 2020 when the US authorities seized 4 kilos of methamphetamine. And on September 28, they seized 20,000 fentanyl pills.

Even the justice department found that the smugglers tried to send packages by traditional mail to Fiji. The alleged leaders were identified as 33-year-old José Maldonado Ramírez. And his fiancé Iris Amado Gracia, 30, originally from California.

Both were arrested last October 28. Two other accomplices were also placed at the disposal of the authorities.

Bibiana Belsasso

justice.gov