H-2 Cartel Lieutenant Extradited from Mexico to Face Narcotics Trafficking and Firearms Charges

 

Carlos Silva Arellano Allegedly Oversaw the Distribution of Huge Quantities of Heroin

 Carlos Silva Arellano, also known as “Bolas,” was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn on an indictment charging him with participating in a large-scale narcotics distribution conspiracy and using one or more firearms in connection with narcotic offenses.  The defendant, a Mexican citizen, was extradited from Mexico to the United States on November 23, 2022.  Silva Arellano was ordered detained pending trial. 

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Anne Milgram, Administrator, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced the extradition and arraignment.

“As alleged, the defendant, a trusted member of a notoriously violent drug cartel, participated in the importation of thousands of kilograms of dangerous drugs into our country for sale in our communities.  He will now answer to the American justice system for his role in the crimes alleged,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Our Office is committed to working with our international partners to dismantle destructive drug trafficking organizations, wherever they are.”

Mr. Peace extended his appreciation to the DEA’s Los Angeles and Mexico City, Mexico offices, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Department of State, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the Government of Mexico.

“The H-2 Cartel and its associates have smuggled multi-ton quantities of heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine into our country for years, using intimidation and violence to build and protect their criminal empire,” said DEA Administrator Milgram. “The continuous flood of addictive and dangerous drugs into the United States remains a threat to the safety and health of our communities. Today’s extradition highlights the important work of DEA, alongside our U.S. and global partners, to bring dangerous drug traffickers to justice.” 

According to the indictment and court filings, the defendant was a member of the H-2 Cartel, a violent Mexican drug trafficking organization based in Nayarit and Sinaloa, Mexico, that was previously led by Juan Francisco Patron Sanchez.  The H-2 Cartel had numerous distribution cells in the United States, including in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Ohio, Minnesota, North Carolina and New York.  The DEA estimates that between January 2013 and February 2017, the H-2 Cartel distributed, on a monthly basis, hundreds of kilograms of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, and thousands of kilograms of marijuana into the United States and earned millions of dollars in illegal proceeds in return.  In furtherance of its drug trafficking operation, the H-2 Cartel used firearms and physical violence and is associated with numerous homicides.  

Between June 2013 and December 2016, the defendant allegedly conspired with the H-2 Cartel to smuggle large quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana from Mexico into the United States and distribute the drugs throughout the country, including in the Eastern District of New York.  The defendant allegedly established heroin distribution networks on behalf of the H-2 Cartel, coordinating with and directing several individuals to receive and sell large amounts of heroin. 

The extradition of Silva Arellano is the result of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the DEA.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.  OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces up to life in prison.