Dámaso López Serrano, 'El Chapo' Godson Pleads Guilty Of Drug Trafficking In The US

According to the Office of Public Affairs of the Department of Justice of the United States, Sinaloa Cartel cell leader Dámaso López Serrano aka “Mini Lic,” pleaded guilty in federal court to importing thousands of pounds of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin into North American soil. As presented by the statement, López Serrano self-surrenderred to U.S. law enforcement authorities at the Calexico West, Mexico Port of Entry on July 27, 2017. The 29-year-old trafficker is believed to be the successor and godson of drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán.

Dámaso accepted responsibility for his role as a leader within the Sinaloa Cartel in the Southern District of California before U.S. District Judge Dana M. Sabraw. The Office of Public Affairs also informed that he acknowledged that he organized the transportation and distribution of thousands of kilograms of controlled substances from Mexico into the United States, and also admitted to possessing firearms for the purpose of promoting the Sinaloa Cartel’s narcotics trafficking activities.

“Cartel leaders have two options – self-surrender or we will work with our counterparts to find you, arrest you and extradite you to San Diego,” said U.S. Attorney Braverman. “For Lopez-Serrano’s distribution of literally tons of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin across the border to America, he will now face justice in a San Diego federal court.”

The Southern District of California began the five-year investigation in 2011, which, according to them, in total, has resulted in charges against over 125 people related to the Sinaloa Cartel, the seizures of nearly 5,000 pounds of cocaine, 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine, 211 pounds of heroin, 17.2 tons of marijuana, and $27,892,706 in narcotics proceeds.

“The guilty plea of this defendant tells the drug traffickers what they need to know,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Woodland. “DEA will keep picking off these violent criminals one by one until there are no more willing to get involved for fear that law enforcement will be coming for them soon. In the face of the current drug crisis we face in this country, DEA will continue to investigate and bring to justice these violent criminals.”

The investigation was conducted by DEA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)’s Office of Field Operations, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, the Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations and Office of International Affairs.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 12, 2018 at 10 a.m. before Judge Sabraw.