A federal indictment unsealed in San Diego charges Carlos Paez Pereda with narcoterrorism and material support of terrorism, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Paez Pereda, who goes by the aliases "Carlitos" and "Carlitos Rugrats," is alleged to be a high-ranking lieutenant within the Sinaloa Cartel, according to the Justice Department. He is further alleged to lead a violent faction of that organization known as "Los Rugrats."
The Justice Department said the charges stem from the trafficking of massive quantities of narcotics into the United States. The drugs involved include fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, all smuggled across the border in large amounts, the agency stated.
Paez Pereda faces two terrorism-related counts: narcoterrorism and material support of terrorism. The Justice Department said both charges are tied to his alleged role in directing the movement of those narcotics into the country.