Ceferino Espinoza Angulo, 43, a high-ranking member of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, was charged with multiple drug-related offenses, including manufacturing, distributing, and importing illicit drugs into the United States, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois announced Tuesday. Espinoza Angulo, a dual U.S. and Mexican citizen, allegedly played a key role in the trafficking of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy.
According to the indictment, Espinoza Angulo conspired with other cartel members to secure fentanyl precursor chemicals, which were then used to manufacture fentanyl for shipment into the U.S. The trafficking operation is said to have involved not just fentanyl, but also other highly dangerous substances, contributing significantly to the ongoing opioid crisis in the U.S.
The indictment further accuses Espinoza Angulo of employing various violent tactics, including the use of a machine gun in furtherance of his drug trafficking operation. Espinoza Angulo allegedly coordinated with cartel gunmen stationed in Mexico, particularly those working for the Guzmán faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, which is led by the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. These sons—Iván Guzmán-Salazar, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán-Salazar, Ovidio Guzmán-López, and Joaquín Guzmán-López, collectively known as “Los Chapitos”—are widely known as key figures in the cartel’s operations since El Chapo’s imprisonment.
The charges against Espinoza Angulo include conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs and firearms violations. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence in federal prison, with a mandatory minimum of 30 years.
Espinoza Angulo is believed to be residing in Mexico, and a U.S. warrant has been issued for his arrest. The U.S. authorities continue to work on efforts to apprehend him, seeking justice for the significant harm caused by his criminal operations.
The indictment of Espinoza Angulo highlights ongoing efforts by the U.S. government to dismantle powerful drug trafficking organizations and curb the flow of deadly substances like fentanyl, which have devastated communities across the nation.
