Sinaloa Cartel Lieutenant Charged with Narcoterrorism in U.S. Fentanyl Case
Prosecutors say Carlos Paez Pereda imported tens of thousands of kilograms of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine and laundered hundreds of millions of dollars.
- On Tuesday, federal prosecutors in San Diego charged Carlos Paez Pereda with narcoterrorism and providing material support to terrorism. Pereda leads Los Rugrats, described as a "violent wing of the Sinaloa Cartel."
- Known as "Carlitos Rugrats," Paez ran a drug manufacturing and distribution network for the Mayo Zambada faction. He allegedly arranged murders and kidnappings in Sinaloa and Tijuana to protect cartel operations.
- Pereda imported tens of thousands of kilograms of drugs into the United States and laundered "hundreds of millions of dollars in drug proceeds." DEA Special Agent in Charge James Nunnallee stated he "fueled the drug crisis."
- Paez faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison if convicted on narcoterrorism charges. The case follows the February 2025 designation of the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, enabling material support charges.
- Indictments link Paez to the internal conflict between the Los Mayos and Los Chapitos factions within the cartel. Prosecutors allege he provided fighters, weapons, and logistics to Los Mayos during the ongoing power struggle.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Carlos Páez Pereda is an operator close to the "Los Mayos" faction, headed by Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada
Narcoterrorism charges unsealed against alleged Sinaloa cartel lieutenant operating in Tijuana
SAN DIEGO — An alleged high-ranking lieutenant of the Sinaloa cartel has been indicted in San Diego on suspicion of using murder, kidnapping and intimidation to import millions of dollars of drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.…
Who Is "Carlitos Rugrats," the Alleged New Sinaloa Cartel Leader Targeted by the U.S.?
Carlos Alberto Páez Pereda, better known by the aliases "Carlitos" and "Carlitos Rugrats," has emerged as one of the highest-profile targets in the U.S. campaign against the Sinaloa Cartel, particularly its Los Mayos faction.
Alleged Sinaloa cartel kingpin charged with narcoterrorism in San Diego
SAN DIEGO — A federal grand jury has indicted a high-ranking Sinaloa Cartel lieutenant on charges of narcoterrorism and providing material support to terrorism, unsealing a case that targets the leader of a notoriously violent wing dubbed “Los Rugrats,” federal…
abc10 News
KESQAlleged high-ranking member of Sinaloa Cartel wing charged in San Diego
An alleged high-ranking lieutenant of a Sinaloa Cartel wing is facing federal charges in San Diego for allegedly trafficking fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States.
Carlos Páez Pereda is noted by the U.S. Department of Justice as the leader of a violent ‘Los Mayos’ wing
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