AMLO accuses the DEA of infiltrating the Sinaloa Cartel without authorization

() — The president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, accused the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of infiltrating the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the main drug trafficking organizations in the country, without the authorization of the Mexican Government.

In an exchange with reporters during a press conference in Mexico City, López Obrador described the actions of the DEA as “an abusive and arrogant interference” and reiterated that “there can be no foreign agents” in Mexico.

“We can share information, but it is the Mexican Army, the Navy and the National Guard that can intervene. The attorney general as well,” said López Obrador.

The president also affirmed that it is up to the US State Department to restore order in his affairs.

“This is not a DEA matter. This has to do with the State Department. And the same thing happens with the Department of Justice of the United States, because they have to bring order. Everything is still very loose ”, added AMLO.

When asked what his government will do in the face of this situation, the president replied: “He will continue to insist, convincing them that they are not going to achieve any of this because they are Pentagon campaigns.”

Several Sinaloa Cartel leaders were indicted Friday after the DEA infiltrated their network and obtained valuable information that revealed a deadly influx of illegal fentanyl into the United States from Mexico and chemicals supplied from China.

The criminal charges announced by the Justice Department include actions against more than 20 defendants for their alleged involvement in global fentanyl production, Treasury Department sanctions against individuals and companies linked to the development and sale of precursor chemicals used in illicit fentanyl, and the State Department’s request for rewards for information that led to the arrest or conviction of 27 people, including high-level members of the Sinaloa Cartel.

The Sinaloa Cartel, which is allegedly responsible for running the “world’s largest, most violent and most prolific fentanyl trafficking operation,” was once led by notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

Since his arrest, the cartel has been led by his sons, known as “Los Chapitos,” who face narcotics, money laundering and firearms charges in both the Northern District of Illinois and the Southern District of Illinois. Three of Chapo Guzmán’s sons face charges of trafficking fentanyl, arms and money laundering in the Southern District of New York.

The US State Department announced this Friday that it is offering rewards ranging from US$1 million to US$10 million “for information leading to the arrest or conviction of 27 people,” including one of “Los Chapitos.”