An alleged leader of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel who was wanted by the United States was killed during a military operation in Mexico, according to the country’s security secretary.
Secretary Omar García Harfuch wrote on social media that Pedro “N” Pichón died after attacking Mexican Navy personnel. Two others were arrested, and authorities say the operation led to the seizure of weapons, vehicles, drugs and chemical precursors.
Authorities identified “Pichón” as Pedro Inzunza Coronel. In May, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Coronel and his father, Pedro Inzunza Noriega, with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering. Prosecutors say the pair are key leaders of the Beltran Leyva Organization — a powerful, violent faction of the Sinaloa Cartel believed to be the world’s largest fentanyl-production network.
According to court documents, since its inception the Beltran Leyva faction has been considered one of Mexico’s most violent drug-trafficking groups. Investigators say the organization has carried out murders, kidnappings, torture, and violent debt collection while controlling numerous territories, including Tijuana. The Department of Justice has released multiple images of fentanyl and cocaine seizures tied to the father-and-son duo.
Mexican authorities say Coronel was also wanted domestically on accusations including homicide, kidnapping, torture, and violent debt collection related to drug trafficking.
