Sinaloa Cartel Leaders Put Behind Bars As Mexican Forces Close In On 'El Chapo's' Sons Still On The Run

The father and brother-in-law of Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, a son of "El Chapo" Guzman and leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, have been put in pre-trial detention after being detained by Mexican forces this week.

Infobae reported that a judge determined the two operatives, believed to handle finances of of the cartel faction associated to the sons of Guzman (the Chapitos), be sent to pre-trial detention.

Police conducted to simultaneous operations in Jalisco to detain the two, seizing drugs, firearms and cash.

The push to capture Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and his brother Jesus Alfredo, the other son of "El Chapo" still at large, came after Joaquin Guzman Lopez, known as "El Güero," pleaded guilty on Dec. 1 to one count of drug conspiracy and one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise for his role co-leading Los Chapitos, the cartel the sons of "El Chapo" led since his arrest in 2016.

Like his brother Ovidio Guzmán Lopez did in July, El Güero reached a plea agreement with U.S. authorities after months of negotiations. As part of the deal, he admitted acting as a logistical coordinator for the transport of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and other drugs and precursor chemicals from Mexico into the United States.

The U.S. government also reiterated that rewards of up to $10 million are available for information leading to the arrest of each of the two brothers still at large, adding that authorities will continue working to bring all of Los Chapitos' operational leaders to justice.

"Under the Chapitos' leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel has fueled the deadliest drug crisis in our nation's history, manufacturing poison and profiting from the destruction of American lives," DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said. "Joaquin Guzman Lopez's guilty plea marks another blow to the cartel's operations. We will not stop until these narco-terrorists are held accountable and the American people are protected."

With a $10 million bounty on his head, Ivan is regarded as one of the most influential drug traffickers in the world, solidifying his position in the cartel after the downfall of both his father and the infamous Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada.

Even before his brothers went to jail and El Mayo was captured, Ivan had a significant role in the cartel. Now he is considered to be the main leader of Los Chapitos, which is taking over and allegedly spearheading much of the current violence in Sinaloa.

U.S. authorities also accuse Jesús Alfredo of coordinating the fentanyl trafficking operations that in recent years have flooded the United States. Officials say he additionally oversees the shipment of fentanyl precursor chemicals from China to Mexico and manages the collection of drug proceeds for cartel members and associates.