A Mexican national identified as a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel was sentenced on May 1 to 336 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine hydrochloride, as well as a concurrent 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. The individual will also serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment.
Emmanuel Martimiano Leon-Soto, age 42, from Naco, Mexico, was charged along with 37 others by a federal grand jury in November 2024 with drug distribution conspiracies. He is known by several aliases including Manny and Jose Manuel Lopez-Castro. Ten defendants in the case were also charged with conspiracy to launder proceeds from drug trafficking.
Prior to his indictment, Leon-Soto had been designated a Regional Priority Target by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program. Authorities describe him as a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel—also referred to as Cartel de Sinaloa or Mexican Federation—which has been labeled both a foreign terrorist organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
“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 of the Atlanta Division 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 stated: “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 added: “Today’s sentence underscores our unwavering commitment to bringing drug traffickers to justice… we will continue to target those who threaten safety…” Donald “Trey” Eakins from IRS Criminal Investigation commented: “This sentencing sends a strong message… Our special agents utilize their financial expertise… tracing illicit financial activity.” Catrina A. Thompson from U.S Marshals Service concluded: “The Marshals are committed to reducing violent crime by taking criminals off streets… helping reduce availability of dangerous drugs… make all communities safer.”
Multiple agencies participated in investigating this case including federal entities such as U.S Postal Inspection Service; Homeland Security Investigations; Drug Enforcement Administration; IRS Criminal Investigation; FBI; U.S Marshals Service; state-level groups like North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement; various county sheriff’s offices across North Carolina; local police departments including Candor Police Department (NC) and Mesa Police Department (AZ).
This prosecution forms part of efforts under Executive Order 14159 establishing Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), aimed at eliminating criminal cartels operating within or outside U.S borders through coordinated interagency action.
