DOJ Alleges Mexican Politicians Conspired With Notorious Cartel

The Department of Justice (DOJ) unsealed an indictment Wednesday against Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and nine other current and former Mexican officials on drug trafficking and weapons charges.

The defendants allegedly worked with the Sinaloa Cartel to traffic narcotics into the U.S., according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

The indictment alleges that the defendants have “abused their authority in support of the Cartel, exposed and subjected victims to threats and violence, and sold out their offices in exchange for massive bribes.”

“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,” stated U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton in part, according to the press release.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Terrance Cole also issued a statement. “This indictment exposes a deliberate effort to undermine public institutions and put American lives at risk,” Cole said in part.

The indictment alleges that the defendants were usually tied to one faction of the cartel known as the “Chapitos.” The “Chapitos Leaders” noted in the indictment are the sons of former head of the Sinaloa cartel, El Chapo.

The indictment includes five counts: narcotics importation conspiracy, possession of machineguns and destructive devices, conspiracy to possess machineguns and destructive devices, kidnapping resulting in death and conspiracy to commit kidnapping resulting in death.

Moya was charged with narcotics importation conspiracy, possession of machineguns and destructive devices and conspiracy to possess machineguns and destructive devices, according to the press release.

Rechazo categórica y absolutamente las imputaciones formuladas en mi contra, por la Fiscalía Federal del Distrito Sur de Nueva York, ya que carecen de veracidad y fundamento alguno. Y así se demostrará, con toda contundencia, en el momento oportuno.

Este ataque no es únicamente…

— Rubén Rocha Moya (@rochamoya_) April 29, 2026

Gov. Moya rejected the accusations Wednesday.

“I categorically and absolutely reject the accusations made against me by the Southern District of New York Federal Prosecutor’s Office, as they lack any truth or foundation whatsoever. And this will be demonstrated, with full force, at the appropriate time,” Moya stated on X in part, according to a translation. (RELATED: Mexico Captures Cartel Leader Wanted By US In Latest Blow To Deadly Syndicate)

Hours after the indictment, the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) released a statement arguing there is not “sufficient evidence” to support the United States’ extradition requests. It added that the attorney general’s office will review the requests.

At a press conference on April 27, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that any corruption allegations must be clearly substantiated and managed by local officials, the Latin Times reported.

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller.