El Mero Mero," Ovidio Guzmán's Uncle and Key Ally of Sinaloa Cartel Faction Set for U.S. Extradition

Hernan Domingo Ojeda Lopez, also known as "El Mero Mero," will soon be joining his nephew Ovidio Guzman in the United States. The Sinaloa Cartel leader is set to be extradited from a maximum-security prison in Mexico after signing his extradition letter Tuesday night. The extradition was first confirmed by Mexican journalist Luis Chaparro via a social media account.

Ojeda Lopez was arrested on December 16 in Sinaloa's Badiraguato municipality as part of a multi-agency effort. Authorities also seized a firearm, ammunition, two bags containing fentanyl, and approximately $44,000 in cash, per an Infobae report. He was later charged with organized crime to commit health-related offenses.

According to authorities, Ojeda Lopez played a key role in the Sinaloa Cartel. He directed logistics for drug shipments moving from Culiacán and Mexicali to U.S. territory. The drug trafficker focused particularly on fentanyl, a major contributor to the opioid epidemic in the U.S.

There were an estimated 105,007 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2023, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of these, approximately 72,000 deaths involved fentanyl, accounting for nearly seven in ten overdose deaths.

The illicit logistics director is also the maternal uncle of Ovidio Guzmán, son of Joaquín "El Chapo Guzmán" and leader of Sinaloa Cartel faction Los Chapitos. However, despite the family connection, Ojeda Lopez decided to band with La Mayiza, rival Sinaloa Cartel faction run by Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada's sons.

Mexican authorities described "El Mero Mero's" detention as an example of a collaborative effort between Mexico and the United States in combating drug trafficking. According to Infobae, the federal judge assigned to Ojeda Lopez's case ordered a six-month investigation to obtain additional evidence. However, the drug trafficker will now be extradited to the U.S., where he faces charges related to drug trafficking and his links to the infamous criminal organization.