Sinaloa Cartel Members Get Long Time for Flood of Fentanyl, Meth, Cocaine

MIAMI – In a major blow to the Sinaloa Cartel, seven members and associates have been sentenced to federal prison for their role in a massive drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

The defendants, who had previously pleaded guilty, were sentenced for their part in distributing tens of thousands of pressed fentanyl pills and kilogram-quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine to cities across the United States. The operation, which ran from June 2022 through May 2023, saw the defendants use the U.S. mail and their own trucking business to transport the deadly substances.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Drug Threat Assessment, the Sinaloa Cartel is at the heart of the fentanyl crisis. The cartel has developed global supply chain networks and operates clandestine labs in Mexico where they manufacture these drugs and then use their vast distribution networks to transport them into the United States. Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced, killing 38,000 Americans in the first six months of 2023 alone.

“When you consider the quantity of drugs being trafficked and the deleterious impact illicit narcotics have on our community, it is readily apparent that these defendants sold drugs for the sole purpose of profiting off a public health crisis – addiction,” stated U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “The fentanyl epidemic, to include here in south Florida, has caused a deafening silence as thousands of people have overdosed and died. We commend our partner agencies, as we work collectively to prosecute the members and associates of cartels that fuel the drug poisoning crisis and traffic in firearms.”

The defendants, who were arrested in the United States, received significant prison sentences for their crimes. Here are the details on each defendant:

Hector Alejandro Apodaca-Alvarez, 53, of Somerton, Arizona, was sentenced to 32 years in prison. Apodaca-Alvarez, who was previously convicted of narcotics trafficking-related offenses in three federal districts prior to his arrest in this case, used the U.S. mail and his own trucking business to send tens of thousands of pressed fentanyl pills and kilogram-quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine to a major hub in the United States.

Mark Anthony Roque Bustamante, 33, of Yuma, Arizona, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Bustamante was involved in the operation from the beginning and was responsible for distributing the deadly substances to cities across the United States.

Jorge Moreno, 28, of San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Moreno was a key player in the operation and was responsible for manufacturing the fentanyl pills in clandestine labs in Mexico.

Jonathan Nicholas Chavez, 25, of Brawley, California, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Chavez was involved in the operation and was responsible for distributing the deadly substances to cities across the United States.

Luis Tejada Velasquez, 37, of San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Velasquez was a key player in the operation and was responsible for manufacturing the fentanyl pills in clandestine labs in Mexico.

Austin Toma Grupee, 43, of Providence, Rhode Island, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Grupee was involved in the operation and was responsible for distributing the deadly substances to cities across the United States.

Jose Chavez Zaragoza, 38, of Yuma, Arizona, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Zaragoza was a key player in the operation and was responsible for manufacturing the fentanyl pills in clandestine labs in Mexico.