US prosecutors have accused Rúben Rocha Moya, the sitting governor of Mexico's Sinaloa state, and nine other current and former Mexican officials of conspiring with cartel drug traffickers. The indictment, unsealed in New York, claims these leaders "conspired with leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel to import massive quantities of narcotics into the United States in exchange for political support and bribes."
Moya, who denies any wrongdoing, is accused of abusing his position as governor to protect a cartel faction known as Los Chapitos. The DEA described the Sinaloa Cartel as a "designated terrorist organization that relies on corruption and bribery to drive violence and profit."
The Mexican government stated that the US arrest and extradition requests lack sufficient evidence. This rare indictment against a sitting governor from the ruling party presents a significant challenge for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.