Brothers Sentenced for Leading Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Distribution Network Linked to Sinaloa Cartel

SAN DIEGO - Brothers Eduardo and Francisco Mendoza were sentenced in federal court to 15 years and 10 years in prison, respectively, for leading a fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution network supplied by the Sinaloa Cartel.

Eduardo Mendoza was sentenced today; Francisco Mendoza was sentenced April 17.

According to public documents, the brothers and other members of their organization were identified through a long-term wiretap investigation. As the investigation unfolded, agents identified the Mendoza Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), which operated in the Imperial County and trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Investigators learned that the Mendoza DTO was supplied by a Sinaloa Cartel-linked source of fentanyl supply in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. The Mendoza DTO obtained drugs from Mexico and then distributed the drugs throughout the Imperial Valley and elsewhere, including as far as New York.

Eduardo Mendoza was the lead defendant charged in a 12-defendant indictment with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. In 2024, agents conducted a multi-district takedown, which led to Eduardo Mendoza's arrest in Oregon and Francisco Mendoza's arrest in the Imperial Valley, California.

In his plea agreement, Eduardo Mendoza admitted that he participated in the conspiracy between at least 2020 through his arrest in June 2024. Through the multi-year investigation, agents repeatedly seized methamphetamine and fentanyl that was being distributed by the organization, including some of the seizures highlighted below.

"Imperial Valley. New York. Las Vegas. Oregon," said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon, "This was a sprawling investigation into prolific drug traffickers. But we wiretapped their phones, seized their drugs, and brought them to justice."

"The sentencing of Eduardo and Francisco Mendoza marks a significant victory in our ongoing fight against transnational criminal organizations that threaten the safety of our communities," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Murphy, HSI San Diego. "This case demonstrates the dedication and collaboration of law enforcement partners to dismantle drug trafficking networks responsible for distributing dangerous substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine. HSI remains committed to pursuing those who endanger lives through the illicit drug trade and to protecting our communities from the devastating impact of narcotics."

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shivanjali Sewak and Kevin Mokhtari.

DEFENDANTS Case Number 24-cr-0504-CAB

Eduardo Mendoza, AKA "Casper" 33 Niland, CA

Francisco Javier Mendoza, AKA "Pancho" 35 Niland, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl (21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846)

Maximum Penalties: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a $10 million fine.

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations

Drug Enforcement Administration

Department of Justice, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces

Department of Justice Office of Enforcement Operations

U.S. Border Patrol

U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations

U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine Operations

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations

U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives

U.S. Postal Inspection Service

Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

California Highway Patrol

Brawley Police Department

El Centro Police Department

Calexico Police Department

Imperial County Sheriff's Office

Imperial County District Attorney's Office

Imperial County Probation Department

Imperial Police Department

Westmorland Police Department

Calipatria Police Department

Imperial Valley - Law Enforcement Coordination Center

Imperial County Child Protective Services

San Diego County Sheriff's Office

U.S. Marshals Service

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Diego comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Interpol, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California.

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.