U.S. Government Announces Major Crackdown on Sinaloa Cartel, Charges Four Sons of El Chapo Guzman

The U.S. Justice Department and Treasury Department have announced a major crackdown on the Sinaloa cartel, one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world. The Justice Department has filed charges in three federal courts against the cartel for fentanyl trafficking, including charges against four sons of imprisoned drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The Treasury Department has also imposed sanctions against two Chinese companies and five people in China and Guatemala for their alleged roles in the trade.

The indictments announced Friday charge Guzman’s four sons, who are known as the Chapitos, or little Chapos, and who have earned a reputation as the more violent and aggressive faction of the cartel. The charges also include alleged chemical suppliers, lab managers, fentanyl traffickers, security leaders, financiers and weapons traffickers.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the charges Friday alongside Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram and other top federal prosecutors. Garland said the charges were part of a larger effort to combat the trafficking of fentanyl coming north into the U.S. while also cracking down on the trafficking of guns going south into Mexico.

The Biden administration has said it is committed to strengthening cooperation with Mexico to combat the trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs. The Justice Department has also announced that it is increasing its efforts to target drug cartels and their leaders, as well as their financiers and suppliers.

The charges against the Sinaloa cartel are part of a larger effort by the U.S. government to combat drug trafficking and the violence associated with it. The Justice Department has said it will continue to pursue those responsible for trafficking drugs and will continue to work with its partners in Mexico to disrupt the flow of drugs into the U.S.