Nearly 100 suspected cartel figures have been transferred from Mexico to the United States to face criminal charges, a move the Justice Department says followed pressure from President Donald Trump after he labeled the organizations foreign terrorist groups.
According to the New York Post, U.S. officials said 92 defendants have been flown north in three separate batches since last February.
Many of the cases involve longstanding extradition requests that had not been fulfilled previously.
“As President Trump has made clear, cartels are terrorist groups, and this Department of Justice is devoted to destroying cartels and transnational gangs,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said.
“We will prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law in honor of the brave law enforcement agents who have dedicated their careers — and in some cases, given their lives — to protect innocent people from the scourge of violent cartels.”
Among those transferred was Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, the brother of slain Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes.
Prosecutors allege Antonio — known as “Tony Montana” — played a leadership role in the organization and helped oversee cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking.
The Justice Department said the group of defendants includes members of the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, and other criminal networks. Charges range from drug and human trafficking to racketeering, money laundering, and murder.
The cases are being prosecuted across 13 states and in Washington, D.C.
U.S. authorities also took custody in January of Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, who are accused of operating a large-scale fentanyl production and trafficking operation responsible for moving massive quantities of the drug into the United States.
Officials said the Mexican military handled the flights transporting the suspects.
“This is another landmark achievement in the Trump Administration’s mission to destroy the cartels,” Bondi said of the transfers.
The department added that those convicted in U.S. courts will serve their sentences in American prisons before being deported.
August’s group included Kevin Gil Acosta and Martin Zazueta Perez, described by authorities as leaders of a security wing tied to the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Prosecutors allege they commanded gunmen armed with military-style weapons in attacks against Mexican government forces.
U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta credited the transfers to cooperation between Washington and Mexico.
“Leadership like President Trump’s and Attorney General Bondi’s to work diligently to bring all of these wanted criminals back to the United States reinforces their commitment to getting justice for their victims,” he said.
“This sends a very clear message; justice does not stop at borders.”
