U.S. Actions Targeting Transnational Criminals for Illicit Fentanyl Activity – United States Department of State 

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Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar and his brother Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, sons of former Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin Guzman Loera, a/k/a “El Chapo,” share leadership roles in the Sinaloa Cartel and its fentanyl trafficking operations, including:  coordination of fentanyl trafficking into the U.S.; shipping fentanyl precursor chemicals from China to Mexico; and collecting drug proceeds for Sinaloa Cartel members and associates.  He is also responsible for coordinating the trafficking of other controlled substances on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana.

To protect their organization, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar shares responsibility for the security of the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations.  In his role, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar commands armed sicarios who perpetrate violence to protect and further the Cartel’s operations and vast holdings.  Together with their half-brothers Ovidio and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, they are known as the “Chapitos.”  All four brothers have been indicted across several judicial districts over the years for major violations of U.S. drug laws.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Sinaloa Cartel is largely responsible for the massive influx of fentanyl into the U.S. over the past several years.

On April 4, 2023, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York returned an indictment against Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar and others, charging them with Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE), Fentanyl Importation Conspiracy, Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns & Destructive Devices, Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns & Destructive Devices, and Money Laundering Conspiracy.

On April 5, 2023, a federal grand jury sitting in the Northern District of Illinois returned a thirteenth superseding indictment against Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, Jesus Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez charging them with CCE; cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana importation, manufacture, and distribution conspiracies, Possession of Machineguns & Destructive Devices, and Money Laundering Conspiracy.  He was first charged in the Southern District of California in July 2014.

The U.S. Department of State is offering a REWARD OF UP TO $10 MILLION for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar.

If you have information, please contact the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration via email at ChapitosTips@dea.gov.  If you are located outside of the U.S., you may also visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  If in the U.S., you can contact the local DEA office in your city.

ALL IDENTITIES ARE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.

Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards.

U.S. Department of State

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