Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, both leaders of a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, were indicted for narco-terrorism and trafficking in California. This indictment follows a record seizure of 1,500 kilograms of fentanyl and is part of a broader investigation into how cartel profits are laundered through cryptocurrencies. Blockchain analytics firms have traced millions in crypto linked to fentanyl precursor purchases flowing from U.S. cartel money couriers to Chinese suppliers. The investigation reveals that criminals are increasingly utilizing stablecoins, such as Tether's USDT, to facilitate these transactions. Additionally, 97% of the Chinese suppliers surveyed accept cryptocurrency for their operations. The Department of Justice's charges invoke foreign terrorist organization laws, enabling asset freezes, including those tied to crypto wallets. U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon highlighted this indictment as a significant step in combating the Sinaloa Cartel's extensive drug operations.

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