Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker has highlighted a significant shift in the federal government’s strategy towards tackling drug cartels. This shift follows the recent indictment of Sinaloa cartel leaders on terrorism-related charges, marking a groundbreaking move in drug enforcement.
On May 13, Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, were charged with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and other serious offenses as members of the Beltran Leyva Organization (BLO), which is affiliated with the Sinaloa cartel. A total of seven individuals from the BLO face these charges, which are unprecedented in scope.
Swecker noted that this new approach aims to dismantle the powerful criminal networks by applying terrorism laws to cartel operations. “This administration is taking a dramatically different approach to fighting drug cartels, who are the most powerful criminal organizations on the planet right now,” he remarked.
The implications of this approach expand the pool of individuals who can be prosecuted, heightening potential penalties significantly. Coupled with the designation of the Sinaloa cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, this strategy enables law enforcement to pursue charges based on broader affiliations with drug trafficking operations.
Prosecutors allege that Noriega and his son have been integral in trafficking substantial amounts of fentanyl into the U.S., with recent operations leading to the seizure of over 1.65 tons of the narcotic. As investigations continue, more indictments are expected against key members of both the BLO and the Sinaloa cartel.
Source: www.foxnews.com
