Mexico’s Sinaloa Governor Steps Down as He Faces US Drug Trafficking Charges The governor of Mexico’s Sinaloa state, Rubén Rocha Moya, has begun a leave of absence following a federal indictment in the United States. The indictment, unsealed on April 29 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, charges Moya and nine other Mexican officials with drug trafficking and weapons offenses. Moya specifically faces charges for narcotics importation conspiracy and unlawful possession of machine guns, which carry a potential mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years if convicted.

• Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya has announced a leave of absence.
• He faces a federal indictment in the United States.
• The indictment alleges he aided the Sinaloa cartel.
• Charges include narcotics importation conspiracy and weapons offenses.
• Conviction could result in a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years.