Leaders of Mexican Drug Cartel Charged with International Drug Trafficking and Violence

Leaders of Mexican Drug Cartel Charged with International Drug Trafficking and ViolencePhoto byStock Image

By Kristy Tallman, October 16, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – An indictment has been unsealed in the District of Columbia, charging the leaders of Los Zetas, a violent drug cartel, and its successor, Cartel del Noreste (CDN), with drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and international money laundering. The indictment also accuses the cartel leaders of extreme violence, including murder and torture, to further their drug trafficking activities.

Miguel Trevino Morales, 51, known as "Z-40," and his brother Omar Trevino Morales, 48, known as "Z-42," are accused of leading the Los Zetas cartel since 2012. Los Zetas was once the militarized enforcement arm of the Gulf Cartel, tasked with controlling drug routes across Mexico. After assuming control, the brothers renamed the cartel to Cartel del Noreste and allegedly continued its legacy of violence, overseeing operations even while incarcerated.

Both brothers are charged with directing numerous violent crimes, including assassinations, kidnappings, and acts of torture, all aimed at maintaining control over key drug routes along the U.S.-Mexico border. The cartel has trafficked massive quantities of drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, into the United States.

“These defendants ran a transnational drug trafficking organization responsible for extreme violence and mass narcotics distribution,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri. “The Justice Department remains committed to holding cartel leaders accountable for the harm they cause in the U.S. and abroad, working closely with our international partners in this effort.”

The charges stem from a years-long investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with significant assistance from U.S. and Mexican law enforcement. According to U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, these charges reflect the continued commitment to bringing down some of the most violent and destructive drug organizations.

If convicted, Miguel and Omar Trevino Morales face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Their cartel's legacy of violence has spread across both Mexico and the U.S., particularly along the Southwest border.

The case is being prosecuted by the DEA Houston Division, with support from various DEA and FBI offices across Texas, New York, and Mexico, as well as local law enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol.

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By Kristy Tallman, October 16, 2024
The Republic News
Source: Department of Justice

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