Mexico Governor Charged in Cartel Plot
A Mexican state governor has been charged in New York. Rubén Rocha Moya leads Sinaloa state in Mexico.
A federal court in New York charged him on April 29. He is accused of working with the Sinaloa Cartel for many years.
The alleged plot involved bringing in drugs in exchange for bribes and political support. Nine other Mexican leaders were charged alongside him.
They face drug trafficking and weapons charges. Officials linked to the case are reportedly tied to the 'Chapitos' faction of the cartel.
None of those charged were in custody at the time. Rocha Moya said the charges were baseless.
Klear Note — The Sinaloa Cartel is Mexico's largest drug trafficking organization. It smuggles drugs into the US and other countries. Cartel corruption of government officials is a major problem in Mexico.
Key Terms 4
- Indicted Formally charged with a crime by a court
- Sinaloa Cartel A powerful Mexican drug trafficking criminal group
- Chapitos A powerful faction within the Sinaloa Cartel
- Drug trafficking Illegally moving or selling drugs across borders