The publication
Are There Cartels in Arizona? Sinaloa Cartel, Tren de Aragua, 4 Federal Cases and Evidence (2026)
Which Mexican cartels and transnational gangs are reported in Arizona, what federal prosecutors have charged since 2024, and our latest Arizona coverage. Every item links to its source.
Cartels in the U.S.: map and all states · Mexico cartel map
At a glance
- Groups reported with Arizona-specific evidence: Sinaloa Cartel, Tren de Aragua, Los Chapitos (Sinaloa Cartel)
- Federal drug-trafficking cases since Jan 2024: 4 (2 extradited, 1 sentenced, 1 convicted)
- Cities in those cases: Phoenix, Tucson
How to read this page
- Reported presence comes from DEA, Congressional Research Service, Justice Department and news reports that name Arizona or a city in it. It shows where groups have been reported, not how many people are involved.
- Federal cases are Justice Department, U.S. Attorney, DEA, FBI and HSI announcements since January 2024. We name a cartel only when the release itself does; other cases are listed as drug-trafficking cases. Charged people are presumed innocent until convicted, so we don’t list defendants’ names here. Follow the link to read the release.
- What it doesn’t tell you: cartel activity in your neighborhood, or crime rates. It is a record of what officials and reporters have published.
Nationwide: the DEA’s 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment says associates, facilitators and affiliates of the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG operate in almost all 50 U.S. states. [Small Wars Journal (summary of DEA NDTA 2025), 2025-05-18] The state-by-state evidence below goes further: named cities, federal cases and official reports.
Groups reported in Arizona
- Sinaloa Cartel (Congressional Research Service, Phoenix, as of 2024): “distribution hubs in cities that include Phoenix, Los Angeles, Denver, and Chicago” [U.S. Department of Justice]
- Tren de Aragua (news report, as of 2024) [The Star News Network, 2024-12-27]
- Los Chapitos (Sinaloa Cartel) (news report, Phoenix, as of 2026): “The two cities are El Paso and Phoenix.” [El Paso Herald Post, 2026-05-12]
- Tren de Aragua (news report, Maricopa, as of 2026): “Investigators said Erazo-Zuniga is a Venezuelan national in the U.S. illegally. He has claimed affiliation with TdA and tried to extort money from his victims.” [Deported News]
- Sinaloa Cartel (federal court case, Tucson, as of 2026): “On Sep. 22, 2026, Senior United States District Judge Raner C. Collins sentenced Amanda Rachelle Miller, 35, of Tucson, to 204 months (17 years) in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release, for leading a large-scale drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other dangerous drugs in Arizona.” [U.S. Department of Justice, 2026-09-22]
- Sinaloa Cartel (news report, Phoenix, as of 2025): “He also said the alleged drug trafficking organization is 'one of the largest and most dangerous fentanyl operations in United States history' – spanning New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Bondi said the organization is affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel operating out of Mexico. Drugs found in Albuquerque, Phoenix and Utah.” [Tri-City Record]
Federal cases in Arizona (since Jan 2024)
| Date | City | Charges | Stage | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-22 | Tucson | leading a large-scale drug trafficking organization distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine Release names: Sinaloa Cartel |
Sentenced 204 months (17 years) in prison |
HSI |
| 2025-11-17 | Phoenix | conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine with intent to import into the United States; conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering Release names: Sinaloa Cartel |
Convicted | DEA |
| 2025-03-05 | Phoenix | secured from Mexico on February 27, 2025 and made initial appearance; charged with Continuing Criminal Enterprise, conspiracy to distribute and import methamphe | Extradited n/a |
DOJ |
| 2025-03-05 | Phoenix | secured from Mexico on February 27, 2025 and made initial appearance; charged with conspiracy to distribute and import methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and co | Extradited n/a |
DOJ |
Our Arizona coverage
- 10 Kilos of Fentanyl and 12 of Opium Gum in a Pickup’s Hidden Compartments: Mexican Troops Stop Nearly 100 Kilos of Drugs in San Luis Río Colorado, Across From San Luis, Arizona Sep 28, 2026
- 378 Cartel Drones Spotted at the Border in a Month: DHS Tells Cartels “Your Drones Are Failing” as Soldiers Test Drone-Catchers Near Yuma, Arizona Sep 26, 2026
- Tucson’s ‘Queen of the South,’ Who Claimed She Dreamed Up Rainbow Fentanyl for the Sinaloa Cartel, Gets 17 Years Sep 25, 2026
- 11,000 Pounds of Marijuana, 17 Years on the Run: Tucson Fugitive Jorge Lamadrid-Carranza Returned to Arizona From Playa del Carmen Sep 25, 2026
- 19 Years for Wichita Ringleader: 15 Sentenced in Sinaloa Cartel Pipeline That Ran Fentanyl and Meth From Phoenix to Kansas Sep 23, 2026
- Shootout in Rocky Point: Mexican Forces Free 3 Kidnapped Miners, Seize .50-Cal Machine Gun and 40+ Rifles Sep 22, 2026
Last reviewed: September 30, 2026. Report errors via our corrections page.