RICO
Indictment Alleges Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Kidnapping, Money Laundering,
and Drug Distribution
United States Attorney Robert Pitman,
DEA Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark
Morgan, and ATF Special Agent in Charge Robert Champion today announced the
indictment of Joaquin Guzman Loera, aka “El Chapo”; Ismael Zambada Garcia aka
“Mayo”; and 22 other individuals responsible for the operations and management
of the Sinaloa Cartel (cartel) charging them with violating the Racketeer
Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
The 14-count grand jury indictment,
returned on April 11, 2012 and unsealed today charges conspiracy to violate the
RICO statute; conspiracy to possess more than five kilograms of cocaine and
over 1000 kilograms of marijuana; conspiracy to import more than five kilograms
of cocaine and 1000 kilograms of marijuana; conspiracy to commit money
laundering; conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking
crimes; murder in furtherance of a continuing criminal enterprise (CCE) or drug
trafficking; engaging in a CCE in furtherance of drug trafficking; conspiracy
to kill in a foreign country; kidnapping; and violent crimes in aid of
racketeering.
The other 22 defendants charged in this
indictment include:
German (Last Name Unknown), aka “Paisa,”
“German Olivares”; Mario Nunez-Meza, aka “Mayito,” “M-10”; Amado Nunez-Meza,
aka “Flaco,” “M-11,” “El Flais”; Jose Antonio Torres Marrufo, aka “Jaguar,”
“Tonin,” Catorce,” “14,” “Tono,” “El Uno”; Gabino Salas-Valenciano, aka “El
Ingeniero”; Sergio Garduno-Escobedo, aka “Coma”; David Sanchez-Hernandez, aka
“Christian”; Ivan Sanchez-Hernandez; Jesus Rodrigo Fierro-Ramirez, aka
“Huichi,” “Pena”; Arturo Lozano-Mendez, aka “Garza”; Mario De La O Lopez aka
“Flaco”; Arturo Shows Urquidi, aka “Chous”; Salvador Valdez, aka “Robles”;
Daniel Franco Lopez, aka “Micha,” “Neon,” “Fer”; Luis Arellano-Romero, aka
“Bichi,” Bichy,” “Helio”; Fernando Arellano-Romero, aka “Rayo,” “24,” “Gamma,”
“Blue Demon”; Mario Alberto Iglesias-Villegas, aka “Dos,” “El 2,” “Delta,” “Parka,”
“Grim Reaper,” “Daniel Cuellar Anchondo,” “Delfin”; Adrian Avila-Ramirez aka
“Bam Bam,” “Tacuba,” “El 19”; Valentin Saenz De La Cruz aka “El Valle,” “Lic”;
Emigdio Martinez, Jr., aka “Millo”; Carlos Flores, aka “Buffalo,” “Charly”;
and, Jose (Last Name Unknown), aka “Toca,” “Tocayo,” “Pachi.”
According to the indictment, the purpose
of the Sinaloa Cartel is to smuggle large quantities of marijuana and cocaine,
as well as other drugs, into the United States for distribution. Laundered
proceeds of drug trafficking activities are returned to cartel members and are
used in part to purchase properties related to the daily functioning of the
cartel, including real estate, firearms, ammunition, bulletproof vests, radios,
telephones, uniforms, and vehicles. In an effort to maintain control of all
aspects of their operations, the cartel and its associates, including members
of the Gente Nueva (“New People”) and the Artistas Asesinos (“Murder artists”),
kidnap, torture, and murder those who lose or steal assets belonging to, are
disloyal to, or are enemies of the cartel. This includes the Juarez Cartel led
by Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, a competing drug organization, as well as its
enforcement arm known as La Linea and the Barrio Aztecas. Often, murders
committed by the cartel involve brutal acts of violence as well the public
display of the victim along with banners bearing written warnings to those who
would cross the cartel.
“Murder, kidnapping, money laundering,
and drug trafficking are the four corners of this organization’s foundation,”
stated U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman. “For years, their violence, ruthlessness,
and complete disregard for human life and the rule of law have greatly impacted
the citizens of the Republic of Mexico and the United States. They must be held
accountable for their criminal actions.”
This investigation resulted in the
seizure of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and thousands of pounds of
marijuana in cities throughout the United States. Law enforcement also took
possession of millions of dollars in drug proceeds that were destined to be
returned to the cartel in Mexico. Agents and officers likewise seized hundreds
of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition intended to be smuggled into
Mexico to assist the cartel’s battle to take control of one of the key drug
trafficking corridors used to bring drugs into the United States.
“This indictment is the result of a
complex, long-term investigation by DEA and our law enforcement partners in the
U.S. and Mexico, targeting the Sinaloa Cartel at its highest levels. In
addition to violations relating to the trafficking of huge quantities of
cocaine and marijuana, the charges encompass money laundering, weapons
smuggling, kidnappings, and murders employed by the cartel to fund, expand and
protect its far-reaching criminal enterprise. These charges are an important
step in bringing to justice those responsible for supplying a large portion of
the illegal drugs flowing into communities in the United States through the El
Paso area, as well as much of the violence that has ravaged neighboring Ciudad
Juarez,” said Joseph M. Arabit, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement
Administration-El Paso Division.
The indictment references two acts of
violence allegedly committed by members of the cartel. First, the indictment
alleges that in September 2009, Jose Antonio Torres Marrufo, Gabino
Salas-Valenciano, Fernando Arellano-Romero, and Mario Iglesias-Villegas, under
the leadership of Joaquin Guzman and Ismael Zambada, conspired to kidnap and
murder a Horizon City Texas, resident. Specifically, Jose Antonio Torres
Marrufo ordered the kidnapping of the victim to answer for the loss of a
670-pound load of marijuana seized by Border Patrol at the Sierra Blanca
checkpoint on August 5, 2009. After the kidnapping, the victim was taken to
Juarez, where Torres Marrufo interrogated him and ordered that he be killed. On
September 8, 2009, the victim’s mutilated body was discovered in Juarez.
Second, the indictment alleges that on
May 7, 2010, Jose Torres Marrufo, Fernando Arellano-Romero, and Mario
Iglesias-Villegas, under the leadership of Joaquin Guzman and Ismael Zambada,
conspired to kidnap and murder an American citizen and two members of his
family. Specifically, Torres Marrufo caused an individual in El Paso to travel
to a wedding ceremony in Juarez to confirm the identity of a target. The target
was the groom, a United States citizen and a resident of Columbus, New Mexico.
Under Torres Marrufo’s orders, the groom, his brother and his uncle were all
kidnapped during the wedding ceremony and subsequently tortured and murdered.
Their bodies were discovered by Juarez police a few days later in the bed of an
abandoned pickup truck. Additionally, a fourth person was killed during the
kidnapping at the wedding ceremony.
“This indictment has been years in the
making, the focus being to dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel by focusing on its
upper echelon. The indictment represents the unwavering commitment and
collaboration among the law enforcement community to bring justice to those who
have inflicted unconscionable violence on so many citizens on both sides of the
border. We are sending a clear message that we will continue our relentless
pursuit of drug trafficking organizations responsible for such widespread
devastation within our communities,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark
Morgan.
“This highly cooperative investigation
shows that law enforcement can make significant inroads into drug trafficking
organizations and that the major players are not immune from prosecution. This
also relates to the illegal firearm traffickers who support such organizations
and are responsible for the violence and bloodshed that is occurring,” stated
ATF Special Agent in Charge Robert Champion.
This investigation was conducted by the
Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, together with the
Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations, United
States Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, United States Marshals
Service, El Paso Police Department, El Paso Sheriff’s Office, and Texas
Department of Public Safety. United States Attorney Robert Pitman also
expresses his appreciation to New Mexico United States Attorney Ken Gonzalez
and his attorneys, Attorney General of Mexico Marisela Morales and her
attorneys, and to law enforcement authorities in Mexico for their assistance.
Upon conviction, the defendants face up
to life in federal prison. Three of the 14 counts (seven, 11, and 14)—which
involve the kidnapping and murder of a resident of Horizon City and three
members of a wedding party in Juarez—may result in the imposition of the death
penalty upon conviction.
It is important to note that an
indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of
guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of
law.
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