A high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel has been indicted in Chicago on charges of orchestrating a massive drug trafficking operation that allegedly flooded the United States with fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and other illicit substances.
Ceferino Espinoza Angulo, 43, is accused of employing dozens of gunmen in Mexico to protect the leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel’s Guzman faction, which is now led by the sons of infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera.
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“As alleged, the defendant conspired to traffic dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States — and employed dozens of gunmen to protect his drug trafficking operation and the leadership of the Guzman faction of the Sinaloa Cartel,” said Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
The indictment alleges that Espinoza Angulo played a key role in obtaining fentanyl precursor chemicals and manufacturing, distributing, and importing fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ecstasy into the U.S. He is also accused of illegally possessing a machine gun in connection with his drug trafficking activities.
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This indictment is part of a larger effort to combat the devastating fentanyl crisis in the United States.
“Our nation’s fentanyl crisis has devastated individuals and families in northern Illinois and throughout the country,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual 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.”
Espinoza Angulo is charged with drug conspiracy and firearm offenses. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. He is believed to be residing in Mexico, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
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