The publication
Are There Cartels in North Carolina? CJNG, Sinaloa Cartel, 7 Federal Cases and Evidence (2026)
Which Mexican cartels and transnational gangs are reported in North Carolina, what federal prosecutors have charged since 2024, and our latest North Carolina 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 North Carolina-specific evidence: CJNG, Sinaloa Cartel, Tren de Aragua, MS-13
- Federal drug-trafficking cases since Jan 2024: 7 (6 sentenced, 1 pleaded guilty)
- Cities in those cases: Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, Greensboro, Raleigh, Raleigh, North Carolina
How to read this page
- Reported presence comes from DEA, Congressional Research Service, Justice Department and news reports that name North Carolina 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 North Carolina
- CJNG (Congressional Research Service, Charlotte, as of 2024): “The Jalisco Cartel maintains illicit drug distribution hubs in Los Angeles, Seattle, Charlotte, Chicago, and Atlanta.” [U.S. Department of Justice]
- Tren de Aragua (news report, as of 2026): “Operation spanned South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and Nebraska” [Republican Nation]
- MS-13 (federal court case, as of 2026): “leaders of the Hollywood Locos Salvatrucha clique, which operated in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and elsewhere” [ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), 2026-02-24]
Federal cases in North Carolina (since Jan 2024)
| Date | City | Charges | Stage | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-18 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Sentenced | OPA | |
| 2026-08-12 | Charlotte | knowingly and intentionally distributing fentanyl and cocaine as an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel Release names: Sinaloa Cartel |
Sentenced 12 years in prison |
DEA |
| 2026-06-03 | Charlotte | conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine as leader of the local cell of a DTO with ties to CJNG Release names: CJNG |
Sentenced 262 months in prison |
HSI |
| 2026-05-01 | Greensboro | conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine hydrochloride; conspiracy to commit money laundering; high-ranking Sinaloa Cartel member designa Release names: Sinaloa Cartel |
Sentenced 336 months for drug conspiracy; concurrent 240 months for mo |
USPIS |
| 2026-04-09 | Charlotte | conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute kilogram quantities of methamphetamine by a local trafficking organization connected to CJNG Release names: CJNG |
Sentenced 140 months (Lorenzo Lemus-Orozco); 70 months (Jesus Miguel A |
ATF |
| 2025-06-27 | Raleigh | conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400+ grams of fentanyl and 5+ kilograms of cocaine Release names: Sinaloa Cartel |
Sentenced 24 years in prison |
HSI |
| 2024-11-22 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Release names: CJNG | Pleaded guilty | USAO-EDNC |
Our North Carolina coverage
Last reviewed: September 30, 2026. Report errors via our corrections page.