High-Ranking Sinaloa Cartel Leader Extradited to Texas, Faces Life in Prison
EL PASO, Texas – Daniel Franco Lopez, a 40-year-old high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel, has been extradited from Mexico to El Paso, Texas, and faces up to life in federal prison.
According to court documents, Lopez allegedly coordinated the shipments of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and thousands of kilograms of marijuana into the United States, along with the pickup of drug proceeds, and kidnappings and murders.
Lopez was indicted in April 2012 along with Joaquin Guzman Loera aka Chapo, Ismael Zambada Garcia aka Mayo, and over a dozen other codefendants. He was arrested on August 14, 2012, and remained in Mexican custody until his extradition.
"The extradition of this defendant is one of many significant pieces in a very large cartel case that spans more than a decade," said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. "Not only are we grateful for the enduring and successful efforts of our federal law enforcement partners at the DEA, FBI, and ATF, but I want to emphasize our goal to put an end to these organizations is shared by this U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Justice Department, and our counterparts in Mexico."
Lopez is charged with one count of RICO conspiracy; two counts related to conspiracy to possess and import over five kgs of cocaine and over 1,000 kgs of marijuana; one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments; one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes and aid and abet; and one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise in furtherance of drug trafficking.
If convicted, Lopez faces up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The DEA, FBI, and ATF are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Antonio Franco, Kyle Myers, and Susanna Martinez are prosecuting the case for the Western District of Texas.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Defendant’s Name: Daniel Franco Lopez
City and State: El Paso, Texas
Date: August 14, 2012
Sentence or Outcome: Faces up to life in prison
Category: Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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