Mexican cartel leader Damaso Lopez-Serrano pleaded guilty in federal court to plotting to distribute and import methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine into the United States, The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting.
He is considered to be the highest-ranking Mexican cartel leader to self-surrender to the United States. Lopez-Serrano is also believed to be the godson of drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the newspaper said.
In his plea filed Wednesday in San Diego, he admitted to acting as a major coordinator of moving drugs into the U.S. and importing tons of narcotics across the border, the newspaper said.
He is now facing a mandatory sentence of at least 10 years in prison. In addition, he has agreed to forfeit $1 million in cash, according to the newspaper. He pleaded guilty to all charges stemming from an indictment in San Diego and a cocaine distribute conspiracy charge out of Virginia.
He had surrendered to Customs and Border Protection agents at the Calexico West Port of Entry on July 27 while Mexican authorities were searching for him, The Union-Tribune reported.
"Damaso Lopez-Serrano's conviction strikes a serious blow to the leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel and its violent drug trafficking activities," Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan said in a statement.
"The administration, the Department and our law enforcement partners are steadfast in our commitment to pursuing and dismantling the international drug rings that poison our communities."
And U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman of the Southern district of California added: "Cartel leaders have two options — self-surrender or we will work with our counterparts to find you, arrest you and extradite you to San Diego. "
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