'El Chapo' son pleads guilty to drug trafficking in US

Ovidio Guzman Lopez, a son of notorious Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, pleaded guilty Friday on federal drug trafficking charges related to his leadership role in the Sinaloa Cartel that his father cofounded decades ago. 

A sentencing date has not been set, but Guzman Lopez faces up to life in prison and may have to forfeit $80 million.

The Associated Press reported that as part of a plea agreement, Guzman Lopez admitted to his role in the drug operation, but specific terms of the deal, including sentencing recommendations or cooperation agreements, were not disclosed. Many of the most recent filings in Guzman Lopez's case are marked sealed in the federal court filing system.

Authorities alleged that Guzman Lopez, also known as "El Raton" and "Raton Nuevo," conspired to distribute drugs from Mexico and other countries into the U.S. from 2008 to 2021. Guzman Lopez and his three brothers, known collectively as "Los Chapitos," assumed control of the deadly Sinaloa drug enterprise after their father's arrest in 2016, according to federal prosecutors.

Guzman Lopez, 35, was arrested in Mexico in 2023 and extradited to the U.S. to face conspiracy charges in the alleged drug trafficking scheme. He pleaded guilty in Chicago.

According to Guzman Lopez's indictment, he and his brothers conspired to amass "greater control over the Sinaloa Cartel by threatening to cause violence, and causing violence" against associates. Guzman Lopez allegedly acted as a "logistical coordinator" in aiding the transportation of "multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana" from Mexico to the U.S. border then throughout the U.S. for distribution. Additionally, he was accused of helping launder money from the drugs sold.