Alleged Sinaloa cartel leader Pedro Inzunza Noriega, wanted by the US on drug and terrorism charges, has been arrested in Mexico.
MEXICO CITY: An alleged leader of the Sinaloa cartel wanted by the United States has been arrested in Mexico on drug and terrorism charges.
Mexican government sources said Pedro Inzunza Noriega was taken into custody in the northwestern state of Sinaloa.
The United States accused him in May of trafficking large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine and heroin into the country.
US authorities identified him as the second-in-command of the Beltran Leyva Organization, a faction of the cartel now believed to be defunct.
The US indictment marked the first time an alleged cartel leader was charged with narco-terrorism and material support of terrorism.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Sinaloa Cartel is a complex, dangerous terrorist organization.
“Their days of brutalizing the American people without consequence are over — we will seek life in prison for these terrorists,” she said.
Since returning to the White House last year, President Donald Trump has vowed to crack down on drug trafficking.
His administration has conducted strikes on alleged drug boats, killing more than 100 people.
Trump has demanded Mexico increase its efforts, threatening tariffs on Mexican exports if more is not done.
Noriega’s son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, was charged alongside his father and killed by Mexican military personnel in an anti-drug operation in November.
