Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of the notorious drug lord ‘El Chapo,’ has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court, admitting to running the Sinaloa Cartel and orchestrating the smuggling of massive shipments of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine into the United States. This plea is part of a broader federal strategy, ‘Operation Take Back America,’ which aims to dismantle transnational criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel. Guzman Lopez will forfeit $80 million, though his sentencing date has not yet been set.
Guzman Lopez admitted to coordinating the transportation of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs, along with precursor chemicals, from Mexico to the United States border. He used a network of couriers affiliated with the cartel to smuggle these substances into the U.S., employing methods such as vehicles, rail cars, tunnels, aircraft, and other means. Once the drugs were distributed, they were laundered through bulk cash transport, wire transfers, trade of goods, and cryptocurrency to ensure the money reached Guzman Lopez and other cartel members in Mexico.
Guzman Lopez also admitted to committing violent acts against law enforcement officials, civilians, and rival drug traffickers to protect the cartel’s drug-trafficking activities. The U.S. attorney’s office hailed this guilty plea as a significant step toward holding the Sinaloa Cartel accountable for its role in the fentanyl epidemic. They emphasized that the plea marks a major victory for the rule of law, showing that no one is beyond the reach of law enforcement.
As part of the plea agreement, Guzman Lopez will also forfeit $80 million, though his sentencing date has not been set. He is one of four brothers known as ‘The Chapitos,’ who took over the cartel after their father’s arrest in 2016. Joaquin Guzman Lopez, his father, is currently being held in the U.S. without bail, awaiting his trial in Illinois. Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar are also facing charges in Illinois and New York, with warrants issued for their arrests.
Federal officials have praised the guilty plea, stating that it represents a key victory for both the United States and Mexico, reinforcing the principle of rule of law. The U.S. State Department has issued rewards of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrests and convictions of the remaining members of the Guzman family. The case underscores the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime across international borders, with officials highlighting the coordination and teamwork required to achieve such a significant legal victory.