The U.S. Justice Department has charged Rubén Rocha Moya, the governor of Mexico's Sinaloa state, along with other current and former officials for their alleged involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel.
Prosecutors accuse Rocha Moya of participating in a yearslong scheme to protect the powerful drug cartel. The governor and other state officials allegedly conspired with cartel kingpins to smuggle narcotics into the United States.
In exchange for this protection and cooperation, the officials reportedly received bribes and political support, including votes.
The charges extend to a variety of current and former government and law enforcement officials in Sinaloa who allegedly conspired with cartel leaders to import drugs into the U.S.