Former Leaders of Mexico's Zetas Cartel Arraigned in U.S. on Drug and Murder Charges

Brothers Miguel and Omar Trevino Morales face allegations of running a brutal criminal enterprise involving drug trafficking, torture, and killings.

Miguel and Omar Trevino Morales, former leaders of the Zetas cartel, were extradited from Mexico and arraigned in Washington, D.C., on multiple charges, including drug trafficking, murder conspiracies, and money laundering.
The Zetas cartel, originally formed by ex-Mexican special forces, was known for extreme violence and was later rebranded as Cartel del Noreste (CDN) after the brothers' arrests.
U.S. prosecutors allege the Trevino brothers directed killings, kidnappings, and acts of torture, and continued to control the cartel while imprisoned in Mexico.
The U.S. Department of State recently designated Cartel del Noreste as a foreign terrorist organization, citing its ongoing violent and criminal activities.
The charges carry the potential for life imprisonment or the death penalty, reflecting the severity of their alleged crimes against both Mexican and U.S. citizens.