US Justice Department Indicts Sinaloa Governor and Multiple Mexican Officials on Drug Charges
Thomas Graham
The US Justice Department has indicted Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and nine other current and former Mexican officials for allegedly aiding the Sinaloa cartel in trafficking drugs into the United States. The charges, including drug conspiracy and weapons offenses, could lead to life imprisonment. The Mexican government has not yet commented on the allegations.
The US Justice Department on March 5 formally indicted Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and nine other current and former Mexican officials on charges of aiding the Sinaloa cartel in illegally trafficking drugs into the United States.
The indictment, filed in Manhattan Federal Court, specifies that the defendants include current and former government and law enforcement officials from the state of Sinaloa. Governor Rocha Moya, 76, who has held office since November 2021, is accused of winning his election with the help of the Sinaloa cartel. The cartel allegedly kidnapped and threatened his political rivals in exchange for protection of its operations after he took power.
The charges against Governor Rocha Moya include conspiracy to import drugs, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and another conspiracy count. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison or a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years.
Reacting to the indictment, Governor Rocha Moya posted on social media platform X that he "categorically and clearly rejects" the allegations, asserting they are "completely false and without any foundation." He called the charges "part of a malicious strategy to violate Mexico's constitutional order, particularly regarding national sovereignty," and vowed to prove "this slander has no basis."
US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson stated that fighting transnational crime is a shared priority for both nations. He emphasized: "Our countries are committed to increasing transparency, enforcing anti-corruption laws, and upholding the rule of law. That is what our citizens on both sides of the border want and deserve."
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has not commented on the allegations. However, Mexico's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it has received multiple extradition requests from the US government and noted that the Attorney General's Office will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to detain the accused individuals.
According to the indictment, the defendants are accused of playing key roles in helping the Sinaloa cartel transport fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States. The Sinaloa cartel is one of eight Latin American criminal organizations designated as terrorist groups by the US government.
Under pressure from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which has threatened tariffs and unilateral military action, Mexico has intensified arrests and drug seizures nationwide, handed over approximately 100 high-ranking cartel lieutenants to US prisons, and conducted campaigns against drug lords. Over the past two months, the Mexican military has killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho," leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, and arrested Audias Flores, regarded as a potential successor.
