Sergio Antonio Duarte Frias is a money launderer for the Sinaloa Cartel who is responsible for facilitating the movement of fentanyl proceeds from the U.S. to Mexico through various means. In the case of Duarte Frias, he and a co-conspirator operate a U.S.-based money laundering organization that uses cryptocurrency to launder cartel drug money to Mexico from the U.S., including from New York City, Boston, Denver, Nashville, Omaha, and Salt Lake City. Since at least Approximately August 2022, Duarte Frias, who with his co-conspirator report directly to a deputy of Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, have directed individuals to pick up money from various traffickers in the U.S., and to then deposit that cash into various cryptocurrency wallets controlled by other high-level members of the organization.
Between Approximately August 2022 and February 2023, U.S.-based couriers, acting at the direction of Duarte Frias and his co-conspirator, retrieved more than $869,000 in narcotics proceeds which was then laundered via cryptocurrency for the Sinaloa Cartel. On March 17, 2023, Duarte Frias was arrested on a provisional arrest warrant in Guatemala and charged with crimes for which he was indicted 18 days later. He is currently detained and awaiting extradition to the United States.
On April 4, 2023, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York returned an indictment against Sergio Antonio Duarte Frias and others charging them with engaging in a Fentanyl Importation Conspiracy, Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns & Destructive Devices, Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns & Destructive Devices, and Money Laundering Conspiracy.
The U.S. Department of State is offering a REWARD OF UP TO $1 MILLION for information leading to the conviction of Sergio Antonio Duarte Frias.
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.