U.S. Charges Mexican Governor Over Alleged Drug Trafficking Links

U.S. prosecutors have charged a sitting Mexican governor and nine other officials with helping the Sinaloa Cartel traffic drugs into the United States. Officials are now describing it as a major step in a wider crackdown.

The indictment was unsealed on April 29 in a New York federal court and names Ruben Rocha Moya, governor of the Mexican state of Sinaloa, along with other current and former law enforcement and government figures. Prosecutors allege the group worked with cartel leaders to move large amounts of drugs across the border in return for money and political support.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said the case sends a strong warning. “No matter your title or position, we are committed to bringing you to justice,” he said. He added that the drug groups rely on corrupt officials to make their plans successful. “They would not operate as freely or successfully without corrupt politicians and law enforcement officials on their payroll.”

According to the Justice Department, the accused helped move fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine into the U.S. Prosecutors say the group also protected cartel leaders from arrest and allowed violence to continue unchecked.

The indictment highlights that the officials received millions of dollars in bribes. It also alleges they exposed victims to threats and deadly attacks while carrying out drug trafficking operations.

Authorities claimed that the group had links to a faction of the cartel run by the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman, often known as the “Chapitos.” Among those charged are Damaso Castro Xaaverda, a deputy attorney general in Sinaloa, and Juan Valenzuela Millan, a senior police commander in Culiacan.

Millan is accused of taking monthly payments from the cartel and helping with the kidnapping of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration source who later died.

DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said the charges show a deep breach of trust. “The defendants allegedly used positions of trust to protect cartel operations, enabling a pipeline of deadly drugs into our country,” Cole said. “No one is above the law.”

Meanwhile, Rocha Moya has denied the charges. In a statement, he said, “categorically and absolutely” rejects U.S. prosecutors’ charges, arguing that they “lack any truth or foundation.” He also called the indictment a political attack against him and his party.

Mexico’s foreign relations office said it received a U.S. extradition request but noted it did not include evidence. All defendants are allegedly in Mexico, and it is currently unclear what will happen next.