Washington [US], May 2: Ten former and current Mexican officials were indicted in absentia on charges of drug trafficking and related weapons offences in the United States, prosecutors in New York said on Wednesday.
US prosecutors in the Southern District of New York accuse the officials, including Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya, of partnering with the Sinaloa Cartel "to distribute massive quantities of narcotics to the United States." The cartel, one of the world's most powerful drug organizations, is a designated terrorist organization in the US.
All 10 individuals are current or former high-ranking government and law enforcement officials from the state of Sinaloa in western Mexico. They also include Senator Enrique Inzunza Cazarez from the Morena Party of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
In their indictment, US authorities allege that Ivan and Ovidio Guzman, sons of jailed Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzman, struck a deal to help Rocha Moya, also of the Morena bloc, gain the governorship of Sinaloa in exchange for protection for members of El Chapo's cartel.
Rocha Moya "categorically and absolutely" rejected the allegations against him in a post on X, saying that they "lack any truth or basis whatsoever. And this will be demonstrated, with full force, at the appropriate time."
Mexico's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said that it had received "extradition requests for several individuals" from the US government, adding that "the documents received from the US Embassy do not contain sufficient evidence to establish the responsibility of the individuals whose provisional arrest for extradition purposes is being requested." "The treaties in force include specific provisions establishing the confidentiality of the information," the ministry added.
"A formal protest will therefore be sent to the US Embassy regarding the manner in which the information was disclosed."
Prosecutor Ulises Lara Lopez said that the Attorney General's Office would run its own investigation to determine whether there is sufficient evidence under the Mexican legal system and whether to grant the provisional arrest requests.
US Attorney Jay Clayton said that the Sinaloa Cartel "would not operate as freely or successfully without corrupt politicians and law enforcement officials on their payroll." "Let these charges send a clear message to all officials around the globe who work with narco-traffickers: no matter your title or position, we are committed to bringing you to justice."
Source: Qatar Tribune