Federal prosecutors in New York unsealed an indictment on Wednesday charging Rubén Rocha Moya, the governor of Mexico's Sinaloa state, and nine other current and former officials with drug trafficking and weapons offenses. The charges accuse them of conspiring with leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel to import massive quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine into the United States in exchange for bribes and political support.

All defendants except one face narcotics importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and related conspiracies, carrying potential life sentences or mandatory minimums of 40 years. Juan Valenzuela Millán, a former Culiacán police commander, faces additional counts of kidnapping resulting in death for allegedly helping the cartel abduct and kill a DEA confidential source and a relative in 2023. No arrests have occurred, and all defendants remain in Mexico.

The indictment details how Rocha Moya, 76, allegedly partnered with the cartel's 'Chapitos' faction, sons of imprisoned kingpin Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, before and after his 2021 election as governor. Prosecutors claim the cartel helped secure his victory through intimidation and ballot manipulation, and in return, Rocha installed corrupt officials who shielded cartel operations, provided law enforcement intelligence, and allowed drug shipments to proceed unimpeded.

Specific allegations include Deputy Attorney General Dámaso Castro Zaavedra receiving $11,000 monthly bribes to warn the cartel of U.S.-backed raids, and former finance secretary Enrique Díaz Vega supplying opponent information for targeting. Police officials allegedly distributed bribes, used official vehicles for cartel activities, and facilitated violence, including murders.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated, "The support of corrupt foreign officials for deadly trafficking of drugs must end. Let these charges send a clear message to all officials around the globe who work with narco-traffickers: no matter your title or position, we are committed to bringing you to justice." DEA Administrator Terrance Cole added that the cartel relies on such corruption to fuel violence and profit, vowing continued pressure.

Rocha, a Morena party member and ally of President Claudia Sheinbaum, denied the accusations as "entirely false and without foundation," claiming they violated Mexico's sovereignty and targeted its leftist leadership. Mexico's foreign ministry said it received U.S. extradition requests lacking sufficient evidence and is reviewing them through its attorney general's office. It also reprimanded the U.S. embassy for public disclosure, citing bilateral protocols.

Sinaloa, birthplace of the cartel, has long been a hub for the global narcotics trade, with the group sourcing chemicals from China and partnering with producers in South America. The allegations highlight ongoing U.S. efforts amid the fentanyl crisis, which has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. This case marks the highest-profile U.S. action against a sitting Mexican governor.