Additional Coverage:
- War on cartels yields results as ‘El Chapo’ heir confesses to running violent drug empire (foxnews.com)
El Chapo’s Son Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges
Ovidio Guzman Lopez, 35, son of notorious drug lord “El Chapo,” has pleaded guilty in a Chicago federal court to running a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel and coordinating large shipments of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine into the United States. Guzman Lopez admitted to using violence to protect cartel operations as part of his plea.
This guilty plea is a significant development in “Operation Take Back America,” a federal initiative aimed at dismantling international criminal organizations. U.S.
Attorney Jay Clayton stated that this plea is a major step towards holding the Sinaloa Cartel accountable for its role in the fentanyl epidemic. The U.S.
Attorney’s office emphasized their commitment to dismantling the cartel’s fentanyl infrastructure.
Guzman Lopez confessed to coordinating drug shipments, sometimes amounting to thousands of kilograms, from Mexico to the U.S. border. He used various smuggling methods, including vehicles, trains, tunnels, and aircraft.
The plea agreement details how Guzman Lopez employed a network of couriers and used various methods, including bulk cash transport, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency, to launder the proceeds back to cartel members in Mexico. He also admitted to using violence against law enforcement, civilians, and rival cartels.
As part of his plea, Guzman Lopez will forfeit $80 million. A sentencing date has yet to be determined.
Guzman Lopez is one of four brothers known as “Los Chapitos,” who assumed control of the cartel after their father’s 2016 arrest. Another brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, was arrested last year and awaits trial in Illinois. Warrants have been issued for the remaining two brothers, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, who face charges in Illinois and New York.
Federal officials celebrated the guilty plea, highlighting it as a victory against the Sinaloa Cartel and a win for the rule of law. They emphasized the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies in securing this verdict and reiterated their commitment to bringing the remaining Chapitos to justice.
The U.S. State Department is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of each of the remaining brothers.