A high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel, Emmanuel Martimiano Leon-Soto, was sentenced on May 1 to 336 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine hydrochloride. He also received a concurrent sentence of 240 months for conspiracy to commit money laundering. The sentencing took place in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina before Chief/Senior United States District Judge Catherine C. Eagles.
Leon-Soto, age 42 and a Mexican national from Naco, Mexico, was among 38 individuals charged by a federal grand jury in November 2024 with drug distribution conspiracies. He was one of ten defendants also charged with money laundering related to the scheme. Authorities identified Leon-Soto as a Regional Priority Target by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program prior to his indictment.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Leon-Soto is considered a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel—also known as Cartel de Sinaloa or Mexican Federation—which has been designated both as a foreign terrorist organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist group due to its role in trafficking drugs into the United States.
“Mexican Cartel kingpins poisoning America will face justice in every judicial district in our country. Leon-Soto and his co-conspirators distributed staggering amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine in our district and beyond,” said Dan Bishop, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. “The sentencing represents the culmination of a broad collaboration of law enforcement partners determined to disrupt and dismantle Sinaloa Cartel operations in our homeland. Be assured we will continue to use all available resources to attack the criminal organizations that flood our streets with dangerous drugs.”
Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge at Atlanta Division Postal Inspection Service said: “Today marks a significant victory for the many law enforcement agencies that worked together to dismantle this organization… This success is a direct result of strong collaboration among our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.” Mark M. Zito from Homeland Security Investigations added: “This arrest strikes at the heart of a cartel network responsible for flooding our communities with deadly drugs… We will continue to dismantle criminal organizations and protect the public from devastation caused by fentanyl and other narcotics.” Jae W. Chung from DEA Atlanta Field Division said: “Today’s sentence underscores our unwavering commitment to bringing drug traffickers to justice… We will continue to target those who threaten safety and well-being.” Donald “Trey” Eakins from IRS Criminal Investigation stated: “We are committed to identifying and dismantling drug trafficking networks by targeting individuals who facilitate or profit from these operations… Our special agents utilize their financial expertise … tracing illicit financial activity.” Catrina A. Thompson from U.S Marshals Service said: “The Marshals are committed … We are proud … helping reduce availability of dangerous drugs … make all communities safer.”
Multiple agencies participated including U.S Postal Inspection Service; Homeland Security Investigations; DEA; IRS Criminal Investigation; FBI; U.S Marshals Service; several sheriff’s offices across North Carolina; police departments including Fayetteville Police Department (NC), Candor Police Department (NC), Mesa Police Department (AZ); Forsyth County Drug Task Force; Mooresville Police Department (NC); Rowan County Sheriff’s Office (NC); Sampson County Sheriff’s Office (NC); Surry County Sheriff’s Office (NC).
This prosecution falls under Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159 Protecting American People Against Invasion—a whole-of-government partnership aimed at eliminating cartels operating within US borders through interagency collaboration.
