Terrorist Support Charges Brought Against Recently Arrested High-Ranking Female CJNG Trafficker "Chayo"

"Socalj" for Borderland Beat

Maria Del Rosario Navarro-Sanchez, 39, of Mexico, is the first trafficker from CJNG to be charged under the new cartel terrorist (FTO) designations in the United States and Canada. She was arrested earlier this month in Mexico.

The terrorism charges are primarily related to the allegations that her group conspired with others to provide and did attempt to provide grenades to the CJNG, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

“Cartels like CJNG are terrorist groups that wreak havoc in American communities and are responsible for countless lives lost in the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere.” stated US Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Additionally, Navarro-Sanchez, is charged with conspiracy to smuggle and transport aliens in the United States, straw purchasing and trafficking in firearms, bulk cash smuggling conspiracy, and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Her arrest was the result of information exchange with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The ATF and FBI, in coordination with Mexico's National Criminal Investigation Unit identified "Chayo" as a member of the CJNG who is largely responsible for the purchase and transportation of weapons to the state of Jalisco.

She previously faced charges in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Texas for arms, drug, and human trafficking, as well as money laundering. The second superseding indictment added the charges of supporting terrorism.

A gold engraved AM-15 was seized during her May 4 arrest.

“Supplying grenades to a designated terrorist organization—while trafficking firearms, narcotics, and human beings—is not just criminal; it’s a direct assault on the security of the United States,” said Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd M. Lyons. 

“Sanchez acted as a key enabler of violence who empowered cartels and terrorist organizations. Her crimes extended beyond smuggling; she was involved in firearms trafficking, bulk cash smuggling conspiracy, and a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Her actions endangered countless lives and undermined our efforts to protect the nation’s borders and communities.

Co-defendant Luis Carlos Davalos-Lopez, 27, of Mexico, is charged with conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens into and transport aliens in the United States, straw purchasing and firearms trafficking. Co-defendant Gustavo Castro-Medina, 28, of Mexico, is charged with straw purchasing and firearms trafficking, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Arms Trafficking

In mid-summer of 2023, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) intercepted communications of Navarro-Sanchez. During the conversations, agents learned that Navarro-Sanchez agreed to purchase 20 AK-47 type firearms and 2 .50 caliber rifles for $66,000.

On August 15, 2023, Navarro-Sanchez had $3,000 wired to a person within the Western District of Texas as down payment for the firearms.

Human Smuggling Tunnel

On or about January 10, 2025, federal agents in El Paso, Texas discovered a completed man-made tunnel that spanned from Mexico into the United States.

Source DOJ, DEA

Categories: CJNG, fto, Jalisco, terrorist organizations