Alleged Sinaloa Drug Cartel Leader Arrested

SAN DIEGO –Jose Rodrigo Arechiga-Gamboa, also known as “Chino Antrax” and “Norberto Sicairos-Garcia,” was arrested Monday, December 30, 2013, at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands at the request of the United States.

A federal grand jury in San Diego returned a sealed indictment on December 20, 2013, charging Arechiga-Gamboa with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Intended for Importation and Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances. That same day, the Clerk of the Court issued a sealed warrant for his arrest. The indictment was unsealed today.

Archiga-Gamboa was taken into custody at the airport under a fraudulent name as he deplaned from KLM Flight 686 from Mexico City, Mexico to Amsterdam. The United States made formal requests for assistance from foreign authorities via a provisional arrest warrant and an Interpol Red Notice.

The United States Attorney is currently seeking his extradition to face charges in the Southern District of California.

DEFENDANT		Criminal Case No. 13-CR-4517-DMS
Jose Rodrigo Arechiga-Gamboa, aka “Chino Antrax,” aka “Norberto Sicairos-Garcia”
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Count 1: Title 21, United States Code, Sections 959, 960 and 963 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Intended for Importation Count 2: Title 21, United States Code, Sections 952, 960 and 963 - Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Drug Enforcement Administration Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations Customs and Border Protection Office of Border Patrol San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center Homeland Security Investigations Internal Revenue Service Interpol