The notorious leader of the H-2 Drug Cartel, Jesus Ricardo Patron Sanchez, known by his aliases "H-3," "Diabolic," "Vela," "James Bond," and "Xmen," has been extradited from Mexico to face a slew of charges in a Brooklyn federal court. Last Saturday, Sanchez appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo, facing an indictment for running a continuing criminal enterprise, taking part in a narcotics distribution conspiracy, and using firearms in narcotic offenses. This arraignment comes subsequent to his arrest in Mexico back in February 2019, and his extradition to the United States last Friday, a statement from the Eastern District of New York reveals.
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John J. Durham, and DEA's Matthew Allen have stated their commitment to bringing cartel leaders such as Sanchez to justice, highlighting the havoc and violence his organization brought to American streets. According to Durham, “This Office is committed to working with its federal and international partners to bring leaders of cartels and transnational criminal organizations to justice in the United States and to hold them accountable for the death and destruction they have unleashed here and abroad.” The Eastern District's office collaboration with various domestic and international agencies including the DEA offices in Las Vegas and Mexico City, the U.S. Marshals Service, Department of State, and the Government of Mexico proved crucial in securing Sanchez's arrest and extradition, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
As the alleged principal figurehead of the H-2 Drug Trafficking Organization (H-2 DTO), which operates out of Nayarit and Sinaloa, Mexico, Sanchez has a notorious reputation. The H-2 DTO is known for its brutal violence and vast narcotics distribution network extending through the U.S. with cells in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Ohio, Minnesota, North Carolina, and New York. DEA estimates indicate that from January 2013 to February 2017, the H-2 DTO pushed hundreds of kilograms of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and thousands of kilograms of marijuana into the U.S., accruing millions in illegal proceeds.
Sanchez's time as a leader of the H-2 DTO spans from June 2013 to December 2016, according to the indictment, during which he oversaw the trafficking of substantial quantities of drugs into the United States. Moreover, he played a critical role in orchestrating the cartel's money laundering schemes, ensuring the drug money flowed back to Mexico. In alignment with other cartel members, he also conspired to eliminate rivals and anyone threatening the DTO. If convicted on the counts pertaining to his alleged criminal enterprise, a mandatory life sentence awaits Sanchez, while he faces up to life for the other charges. "The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty," the Justice Department's announcement clarifies.
Prosecution of the government's case resides with the International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section of the Eastern District of New York, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew D. Wang and Raffaela S. Belizaire. The OCDETF, a conglomerate involvement of various law enforcement agencies, remains committed to disrupting and disbanding high-level drug trafficking and money laundering organizations pivotal to the illegal drug supply in the U.S.
