Chicago grand jury indicts alleged aide, security chief in Sinaloa cartel

A federal grand jury in Chicago on Monday accused a high-ranking advisor and security leader in a faction of the notorious Sinaloa cartel of producing and importing illegal drugs to the U.S., the Department of Justice announced.

The indictment accused Jose Angel Canobbio Inzunza, 44, of assisting one of the alleged heirs to former cartel leader Joaquin Guzman Loera, or El Chapo, with manufacturing and importing cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana to the U.S. for sale.

Besides assisting with the manufacture and import of drugs, the indictment also accuses Inzunza of financing and running the cartel’s security arm, known as Los Chimales.

Inzunza allegedly served as a “principal advisor, lieutenant and security chief” for Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, one of the four brothers or “Chapitos” thought to have taken over the cartel after Guzman Loera was arrested in 2016.

Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar remains at large along with his brother, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar. The other two brothers, Joaquin Guzman Lopez and Ovidio Guzman Lopez, are both in custody.

Authorities believe Inzunza is living in Mexico and a U.S. warrant has been issued for his arrest, according to a Thursday news release.