A high-ranking member of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, wanted by the United States for drug trafficking, was killed by gunmen, according to a source in the Sinaloa state government on Friday. This confirms reports from Mexican media.
Eliseo Imperial Castro, also known as “Cheyo Antrax,” was related to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, one of the founders of the cartel. Both individuals are currently wanted by the U.S. government and the State Department has put forth a substantial $5 million reward for any valuable information that could assist in apprehending Zambada.
Reports from Mexican media state that an incident occurred on a highway in Sinaloa, located in northwestern Mexico, involving Imperial Castro on Thursday.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, he was identified as a prominent figure within the Los Antrax organization, which is known for its association with the Sinaloa Cartel.
In 2016, he faced charges in a U.S. court related to methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana trafficking, along with money laundering.
Last year, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on three Mexican citizens, one of whom is a fugitive known as “The Anthrax Monkey,” for their suspected role in the production and distribution of the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl.
A high-ranking member of the Sinaloa cartel, “Chino Antrax,” pleaded guilty in federal court in 2015. He confessed to coordinating the transportation of large quantities of cocaine and marijuana into the United States. Additionally, he admitted to ordering or participating in acts of violence related to the cartel.
The Sinaloa Cartel is widely recognized as one of Mexico’s most influential and notorious criminal organizations.
The founder, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, is currently serving a life sentence in the United States.
Last week, a suspected high-ranking member of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel was extradited to the United States. The Justice Department has announced that he will face charges related to drug and weapons smuggling.
“El Nini,” also known as Nestor Isidro Perez Salas, was identified by Attorney General Merrick Garland as a prominent figure within the Sinaloa Cartel. Garland stated that “El Nini” played a significant role as one of the cartel’s lead sicarios, carrying out acts of violence such as murder, torture, and kidnapping against rivals and witnesses who posed a threat to the cartel’s illicit drug trafficking operations.
