Cartel sought to buy weapons in exchange for fentanyl, U.S. says
Summary
The U.S. Justice Department charged four members of the Mexican drug cartel CJNG for trying to buy weapons in the Czech Republic using fentanyl and methamphetamine as payment. Two suspects were extradited to the U.S., and two others await extradition; all face serious drug and weapons charges.Key Facts
- Four alleged CJNG cartel members were arrested in the Czech Republic in June.
- Two suspects, Edgar Lopez Velasco and Jose Alvarado Morales, have been brought to the United States.
- The other two, Noe Diaz Jimenez and Leobardo Gaxiola Lopez, are waiting for extradition.
- The cartel tried to trade fentanyl and methamphetamine for machine guns, rocket launchers, and other weapons in Europe.
- The charges include drug importation conspiracy and firearms trafficking, with possible life prison terms.
- The U.S. government increased rewards for capturing CJNG leaders, including $25 million for Juan Carlos Gonzalez, aka "Pelón."
- CJNG is designated as a foreign terrorist organization and recently lost its leader, "El Mencho," in a military operation supported by U.S. intelligence.
- The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on cartel members and companies, freezing assets and blocking transactions.
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