Ten current and former Mexican officials, including the governor of Sinaloa, are facing federal charges in the U.S. that accuse them of conspiring with cartels to traffic drugs into the country.
"As alleged, each of the defendants has participated in a corrupt and violent drug trafficking conspiracy with the Cartel to import massive amounts of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States," U.S. federal prosecutors alleged.
According to the indictment, the government officials specifically worked with a faction of the Sinaloa cartel known as "Los Chapitos." That faction of the cartel is operated by the sons of Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera, also known as "El Chapo," who is currently serving a life sentence in the U.S.
"As the indictment lays bare, the Sinaloa Cartel, and other drug trafficking organizations like it, would not operate as freely or successfully without corrupt politicians and law enforcement officials on their payroll," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.
The indictment singles out Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, saying that the cartel helped get him elected, including by intimidating and kidnapping potential rivals. In exchange, Rocha Moya allegedly agreed to protect the Chapitos as they carried out drug smuggling operations.
Rocha Moya issued a statement strongly denying the allegations.
"I categorically and absolutely reject the accusations made against me," Rocha Moya said. "It is part of a perverse strategy to violate the constitutional order, specifically the national sovereignty."
"To the people of Sinaloa, I say that, with the courage and dignity that characterize us, we will demonstrate the lack of foundation for this slander," he said.
CBS News reported that some of the people indicted this week were members of Sheinbaum's political party, Morena, including Rocha Moya.
Rocha Moya was elected in 2021. The charges against him include narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, along with another conspiracy count. He faces 40 years to life in prison.
Others indicted include Damaso Castro Zaavedra, Deputy Attorney General for Sinaloa, and Enrique Inzunza Cazarez, a current Mexican senator. All ten of the officials and former officials who were indicted face potential life sentences on the charges.
CBS News noted that Sheinbaum said that her government had not been provided "any evidence" regarding the charges of corruption. "Any investigation in the United States against any person in Mexico must have evidence reviewed by the (Mexican) Attorney General's Office," Sheinbaum told the network.
