PHOENIX, Ariz. – Three alleged high-ranking members of major drug cartels—Jose Bibiano Cabrera-Cabrera, 37; Jesus Humberto Limon-Lopez, 43; and Jose Guadalupe Tapia-Quintero, 53, all of Mexico—have been extradited to the United States. The men were taken into U.S. custody on February 27, 2025, and appeared last week for their initial court proceedings in Arizona.
The defendants are alleged to be leaders and managers of drug cartels recently designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), including:
- Sinaloa Cartel
- Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG)
- Cártel del Noreste (formerly Los Zetas)
- La Nueva Familia Michoacana
- Cártel de Golfo (Gulf Cartel)
Federal authorities allege the three men played key roles in smuggling vast quantities of illicit drugs into the U.S., including fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, and were involved in violent cartel-related activities.
Charges and Potential Sentences
Jose Guadalupe Tapia-Quintero
- Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine with Intent to Import into the U.S.
- Conspiracy to Import Methamphetamine
- Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
- Conspiracy to Commit Promotional Money Laundering
- Conspiracy to Commit Concealment Money Laundering
- Aiding and Abetting
Maximum Sentence: Up to life in prison
Jesus Humberto Limon-Lopez
- Continuing Criminal Enterprise
- Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine
- Conspiracy to Import Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine
- Distribution of Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine
- Conspiracy to Unlawfully Export Firearms and Ammunition
Maximum Sentence: Up to life in prison
Jose Bibiano Cabrera-Cabrera
- Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine
- Conspiracy to Import Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine
- Conspiracy to Unlawfully Export Firearms and Ammunition
Maximum Sentence: Up to life in prison
Federal Task Force Effort to Disrupt Organized Crime
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, a multi-agency effort aimed at dismantling major drug trafficking and money laundering operations.
The OCDETF Arizona Strike Force includes agents and officers from:
- Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Criminal Investigations
- United States Marshals Service
- United States Postal Service (USPS) & Postal Inspection Service
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- Arizona Army National Guard
- Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
- Pima County Sheriff’s Office
- Scottsdale Police Department
The prosecution is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
Legal Disclaimer
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct and does not constitute evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
