A federal grand jury in Chicago indicted a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico on a drug conspiracy charge for allegedly making and distributing fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and other drugs in the U.S.
Prosecutors allege Ceferino Espinoza Angulo, 43, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Mexico, employed dozens of gunmen in Mexico to protect and support the leadership of the Guzman faction of the Sinaloa Cartel – including Ivan Guzman-Salazar, Jesus Alfredo Guzman-Salazar, Ovidio Guzman-Lopez, and Joaquin Guzman-Lopez – collectively known as “the Chapitos.”
The indictment alleges that Espinoza Angulo worked with others to obtain fentanyl precursor chemicals and to make fentanyl to import to the U.S. Prosecutors said Espinoza Angulo allegedly worked with others to transport the fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ecstasy toward the U.S. border for importation into the country. He’s also accused of using a machine gun as part of the trafficking enterprise.
The Chapitos are the sons of Joaquin Guzman Loera, also known as “El Chapo,” who led the Sinaloa Cartel before being convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn, N.Y., and sentenced to life in prison. The Chapitos allegedly assumed their father’s role as leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel. The Chapitos have been charged with drug trafficking in other U.S. indictments, according to prosecutors.
Espinoza Angulo faces a drug conspiracy and a firearm offense, which are punishable by a maximum sentence of life in federal prison and a minimum of 30 years.
Prosecutors said Espinoza Angulo is believed to be in Mexico, and a U.S. warrant has been issued for his arrest.
“Our nation’s fentanyl crisis has devastated individuals and families in northern Illinois and throughout the country,” said Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. “Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to disrupt the production and trafficking of fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics before they can reach more victims.”
