An unsealed indictment in the District of Columbia charges leaders of the violent drug trafficking groups Los Zetas and its successor, Cartel del Noreste (CDN), with running a continuing criminal enterprise, drug trafficking conspiracy, firearms offenses, and international money laundering conspiracy.
According to the indictment, Miguel Treviño Morales, 51 (known as Z-40), and his brother Omar Treviño Morales, 48 (known as Z-42), allegedly took control of Los Zetas after over a decade with the group.
Los Zetas originally operated as the armed wing of the Gulf Cartel to secure drug routes in Mexico.
After becoming leaders in 2012, they renamed the group Cartel del Noreste and allegedly continued their violent tactics to control Northern Mexico, including along the U.S. border.
Despite being imprisoned in Mexico—Miguel in 2013 and Omar in 2015—the brothers allegedly continued to run the CDN by appointing family members to manage operations.
They are accused of personally ordering murders, assassinations, kidnappings, and acts of torture to maintain control of drug trafficking and increase their cartel’s wealth.
“For decades, these individuals have controlled one of the most violent drug organizations in Mexico, committing and directing the commission of horrible atrocities against our neighbors, the people of Mexico, and also in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Nothing is more important than bringing dangerous individuals like this to justice.”
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) stands with our partners in the fight against transnational criminal organizations to protect our citizens from their unlawful actions,” said HSI Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger. “The harm caused by the Los Zetas cartel reaches well beyond our borders, hurting communities and ruining lives here in the United States.”
“For decades, Los Zetas operated as one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations in the United States and Mexico under the direction of brothers Miguel (Zeta 40) and Omar Trevino Morales (Zeta 42),” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Houston Field Division. “The DEA has never wavered from the global fight against this vicious, ruthless cartel which thrived on the devastation they imparted on American communities. Through countless investigations, DEA brought high-ranking members of this destructive organization to justice. These latest indictments will continue to cripple this violent organization and force them to release the stranglehold they have exerted along the southwest border of the United States.”
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison.