The United States confirms that Ovidio Guzmpan is already in its territory after being extradited by Mexico

Mexico extradited to the United States on Friday Ovidio Guzmán Lópezson of former leader of the Sinaloa cartel Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmánto face drug trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. ““This action is the latest step in the Justice Department’s effort to target all aspects of the cartel’s operations,” Garland said.

The Mexican government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

WATCH: Mexico extradites Ovidio Guzmán, son of El Chapo Guzmán, to the United States to face drug trafficking charges

Mexican security forces captured Guzman Lopezalso known as “the mouse”, in January this year in Culiacancapital of the state of Sinaloanamesake of signal.

Three years earlier, the government tried to capture him, but aborted the operation after His cartel allies unleashed a wave of violence in Culiacán.

The January arrest triggered similar violence that killed 30 people in Culiacán, including 10 soldiers.

LOOK: Who is Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, the leader of Los Chapitos who is in the top 3 of most wanted by the DEA (and his relationship with Peru)

The army used Black Hawk helicopters against the .50 caliber machine guns mounted on trucks from the signal. Cartel gunmen attacked two military planes, forcing them to land, and sent armed men to the city’s airport, where military and civilian planes were hit by gunfire.

The capture occurred just days before the American president Joe Biden will visit Mexico to hold bilateral talks followed by the North American Leaders Summit.

Friday, Garland recognized the military and police officers who gave their lives in the United States and Mexico. “The Department of Justice will continue to hold accountable those responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic that has devastated many communities across the country.”

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks at the Department of Justice on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh).

In April, US prosecutors have revealed extensive charges against Guzmán and his brothers, known collectively as Los Chapitos. They explained in detail how, after their father was extradited and sentenced to life in prison in the United States, The brothers increasingly turned the cartel toward synthetic drugs, such as methamphetamine and the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl.

The indictment unsealed in Manhattan said that their aim was to produce enormous quantities of fentanyl and sell it for the lowest price. He fentanyl It is so cheap to produce that the cartel makes huge profits, even selling the drug wholesale for 50 cents a pill, prosecutors said. The brothers denied the allegations in a letter.

Los Chapitos became known for their grotesque violence that seemed to surpass any notion of moderation. exhibited by previous generations of cartel leaders.

Fentanyl has become a top priority in the bilateral security relationship. But Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has denied allegations from the U.S. government and his own military about fentanyl production in Mexico, describing the country as a transit point for precursors from China bound for the United States.

López Obrador blames the deterioration of family values ​​in the US for the country’s high levels of drug addiction.

Source: Elcomercio