The US Department of Justice charged Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and nine other officials on April 29 with conspiring with Los Chapitos of the Sinaloa Cartel to traffic narcotics into the US in exchange for bribes. Charges include narcotrafficking, weapons possession, and kidnapping resulting in death. Mexican authorities are reviewing extradition requests lacking attached evidence.
The Southern District of New York filed formal charges against Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya; Culiacán Mayor Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil; Morena Senator Enrique Inzunza Cázarez; and seven other officials or ex-officials, including Juan Valenzuela Millán, alias 'Juanito', former Culiacán municipal police commander.
The US Department of Justice states the accused received monthly bribes from Los Chapitos —sons of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán— up to $100,000. In return, they protected fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine shipments; leaked intelligence; and provided police resources. Rocha Moya allegedly attended meetings with Los Chapitos before and after his 2021 election, promising impunity.
In the gravest allegation, Valenzuela Millán took part in the October 2023 kidnapping, torture, and murder of DEA informant Alexander Meza León and his relatives, using official patrol cars to hand them to hitmen.
Rocha Moya rejected the charges: “They lack veracity and any foundation.” Mexico's FGR said it will only extradite if legal elements exist, and the SRE filed a complaint over the publicized request received on April 28. Other accused, like Gámez and Inzunza, denied the claims, viewing them as attacks on Morena.
