LOS ANGELES
Federal authorities arrested four alleged Sinaloa Cartel-linked defendants — members of the same family — in a 29-count federal grand jury indictment accusing them of trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and firearms, including unserialized “ghost guns,” officials announced Tuesday.
Three of the defendants are described as Mexican nationals without legal status in the United States, according to prosecutors.
The defendants were arrested Wednesday and are expected to appear in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles for arraignment.
Defendants
- José Luis Salazar-Cruz, 44, aka “Oso,” of Lancaster
- Alfonso Salazar, 46, aka “Pirate,” of Lancaster
- José Manuel Salazar, 22, aka “Lil Oso,” of Lancaster
- Jorge Humberto Salazar, 43, aka “Sharky,” of Hesperia
Authorities are searching for a fifth defendant, José Ángel López Paniagua, 23, of Littlerock.
Prosecutors allege Salazar-Cruz, Alfonso Salazar and Jorge Humberto Salazar are brothers, and José Manuel Salazar is Salazar-Cruz’s son.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Quick Facts
- Defendants arrested: 4 (same family)
- Charges: 29-count indictment involving drugs and firearms
- Drugs seized/trafficked: Fentanyl and pound quantities of methamphetamine
- Weapons: Ghost guns, Glock .45 pistol, destructive device, AR-style rifle
- Time frame: February 2024 to December 2025
- At-large suspect: 1
- Potential sentence: 10 years to life in federal prison
Allegations detail drug and gun trafficking network
According to the indictment, from February 2024 to December 2025, Salazar-Cruz used encrypted messaging apps, phone calls and in-person meetings to coordinate drug and firearms sales.
Co-defendants allegedly brokered deals between suppliers and buyers and handled transactions directly.
Investigators documented multiple sales involving pound-level quantities of methamphetamine. In one instance, prosecutors allege Salazar-Cruz sold nearly one pound of meth and 324 grams of fentanyl in a single deal.
Other transactions included:
- 1.2 kilograms of methamphetamine in July 2025
- 2.3 kilograms of methamphetamine in December 2025
Authorities also allege the group sold multiple firearms between December 2024 and July 2025, including:
- A Glock .45-caliber pistol
- A street-sweeper destructive device
- An unserialized AR-style “ghost gun”
Cross-border supply allegations
Prosecutors allege the drugs originated in Tijuana and Mexicali, Mexico, transported across the border by trailer.
According to court documents, López Paniagua allegedly obtained narcotics from members of the Sinaloa cartel and supplied them to Salazar-Cruz in exchange for payment.
Charges and potential penalties
All five defendants are charged with:
- Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
- Conspiracy to deal firearms without a license
- Unlicensed firearms dealing
Salazar-Cruz faces additional counts, including:
- Seven counts of being an alien in possession of firearms
- Multiple counts of meth and fentanyl distribution
- Possession of a destructive device
- Possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.