US charges governor of Mexico's Sinaloa state and 9 others with drug trafficking and weapons charges

Source: CNN

US charges governor of Mexico's Sinaloa state and 9 others with drug trafficking and weapons charges

8 hr ago
PUBLISHED Apr 29, 2026, 7:08 PM ET

By Kara Scannell, Michael Rios


Sinaloa Gov. Ruben Rocha Moya speaks as he leaves the inauguration ceremony of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the San Lazaro Legislative Palace in Mexico City, Mexico, on October 1, 2024. (Jose Luis Torales/NurPhoto/AP/File)

A federal grand jury indicted the governor of Sinaloa and other Mexican state officials with drug trafficking and weapons charges for allegedly working with cartels to bring drugs into the United States in exchange for bribes and favors.

Ruben Rocha Moya, the governor of the Mexican state of Sinaloa since 2021, and nine current or former high-ranking Mexican officials were charged in a five-count indictment unsealed Wednesday with allegedly helping a faction of the cartel led by the Chapitos, the sons of Joaquin Guzman Loera -- also known as El Chapo, the former leader of the Sinaloa cartel until he was prosecuted in the US.

"These politicians and law enforcement officials have abused their authority in support of the Cartel, exposed and subjected victims to threats and violence, and sold out their offices in exchange for massive bribes," according to the indictment.

Prosecutors in New York allege Rocha Moya met with the Chapitos prior to his election in 2021 and assured them that if elected, he would put officials friendly to their drug trafficking operations into power. Cartel members stole ballot boxes and kidnapped or intimidated opponents to drop out of the race to ensure his victory, according to the indictment.

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Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/29/politics/us-charges-mexican-officals-drug-trafficking-weapons

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The Wall Street Journal
‪@wsj.com‬

The U.S. charged the governor of Mexico's Sinaloa state and other officials with drug trafficking, sparking a diplomatic dispute with the country's federal government amid rising pressure to fight powerful cartels. on.wsj.com/4n5GYYo

U.S. Charges Governor of Mexico's Sinaloa State With Drug Trafficking
Rubn Rocha allegedly conspired with Sinaloa Cartel leaders to smuggle narcotics into the U.S. Mexico says that the evidence isn't sufficient.
on.wsj.com
7:33 PM · Apr 29, 2026
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The U.S. charged the governor of Mexico’s Sinaloa state and other officials with drug trafficking, sparking a diplomatic dispute with the country’s federal government amid rising pressure to fight powerful cartels. on.wsj.com/4n5GYYo

— The Wall Street Journal (@wsj.com) 2026-04-29T23:33:04.297633Z

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U.S. Charges Governor of Mexico's Sinaloa State With Drug Trafficking
Rubn Rocha allegedly conspired with Sinaloa Cartel leaders to smuggle narcotics into the U.S. Mexico says that the evidence isn't sufficient.
By
Santiago Prez
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Updated April 29, 2026 5:36 pm ET


Rubn Rocha, Governor of Sinaloa, speaking at the Mexican Congress.
Rubn Rocha, the governor of the state of Sinaloa, in Mexico City in 2024. Ian Robles/Alto Press/Zuma Press

MEXICO CITY--The U.S. charged the governor of Mexico's Sinaloa state and other officials with drug trafficking, sparking a diplomatic dispute with the country's federal government amid rising pressure to fight powerful cartels.

The Justice Department said Wednesday that Sinaloa Gov. Rubn Rocha allegedly partnered with leaders of the country's powerful Sinaloa cartel to smuggle drugs into the U.S. in exchange for political support and bribes. The U.S. requested his arrest and extradition to the U.S. on Tuesday.

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https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/u-s-charges-governor-of-mexicos-sinaloa-state-with-drug-trafficking-784adf08