Mexico Police Arrest Suspected Drug Cartel Financial Operator in Sinaloa

Police have arrested the alleged head of financial operations of Mexican drug lord Joaqin Guzman, also known as El Chapo, in the city of Culiacan in the Sinaloa state, according to a police statement.

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) – Guadelupe Fernandez Valencia, also known as La Patrona, allegedly moved both drugs and money for the Sinaloa Cartel. The 55-year-old woman has been charged with drug trafficking and money laundering by the US authorities, who have also requested her extradition.

According to the statement, La Patrona will be transferred to a federal prison and remain there until her legal status is determined.

The suspect is the sister of Sinaloa Cartel drug trafficker, Manuel Fernandez Valencia, who is currently in the US custody.

The Sinaloa Cartel, named after its home state, smuggles cocaine from Colombia through Mexico to the United States. The cartel is also involved in the production and distribution of Mexican marijuana, heroin and other drugs in North America and Europe.

The chief of the cartel, El Chapo, who had escaped from a maximum security prison in July, was caught on January 8 after a special operation carried out by Mexican marines in Sinaloa. El Chapo has since been put back into the Altiplano prison.