More than 40 people linked to the Sinaloa Cartel drug trafficking network face charges in Southern California

SEATTLE – In a joint operation led by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (CDETF) and the Department of Justice, 48 suspected members of a drug trafficking organization linked to the Sinaloa Cartel were charged with distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and heroin in bulk cash smuggling .

According to court documents, the defendants charged with trafficking synthetic drugs into the United States belonged to a drug trafficking organization based in the Imperial Valley and Mexicali, Mexico, that had ties to Los Rusos, the main armed wing of the remaining Sinaloa faction -Cartel loyal to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.

During a coordinated operation that took place on November 6, the DOJ said more than 140 federal, state and local law enforcement officers arrested 25 suspects and executed 15 search warrants at multiple locations in Imperial County, California, Yuma, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada. According to authorities, 23 of the suspected members linked to the case remain at large.

The investigation also led to the seizure of more than 8,000 pounds of methamphetamine, as well as large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and a firearm.

Who are “Los Rusos”?

The group known as “Los Rusos” is a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel loyal to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. They are a similar clique to “Los Ninis,” who serve as a violent group of security forces for “Los Chapitos.”

According to authorities, “Los Rusos” are led by Jesús Alexander Sánchez Félix, also known as “El Ruso,” and control drug smuggling routes in Baja California and other parts near the U.S. border.

Since Ovidio Guzmán's first arrest in 2019, “Los Rusos” and “Los Chapitos” have been at war with each other, as authorities believe that Zambada's security personnel were ordered not to participate in the wave of violent retaliation by members of the Sinaloa Cartel in response to Ovidio Guzmán's arrest.

Since 2020 at the latest, “Los Rusos” have been relocated to San Luís Río Colorado in Sonora to defend smuggling areas from “Los Chapitos”.

Protecting U.S. communities

In a statement issued after the operation, U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said U.S. authorities had not only dismantled the criminal group's drug trafficking network but also “taken significant steps” by charging dozens of people and seizing thousands of pounds of drugs to protect our community from the devastation these drugs wreak.”

El Centro Sector Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino echoed McGrath's words, saying the Sinaloa Cartel “and every other criminal organization in the Imperial Valley will fare badly.”

The investigation, which used undercover operations and four wiretaps, also led to several other large narcotics seizures, according to court documents. One of the most significant raids occurred in April 2022, when agents intercepted phone calls about a large drug sale and discovered 256 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the cab of a semi-truck.