(KGTV) - The brother of a Sinaloa Cartel leader was arrested in Arizona Thursday, weeks after his uncle surrendered to authorities in southern California.
Alvaro Lopez-Nunez, 38, of Culiacan, Mexico, was arrested at the Nogales Port of Entry and is in Drug Enforcement Administration custody, the Office of the U.S. Attorney Southern District of California said.
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Alvaro Lopez-Nunez is the brother of Sinaloa Cartel leader Damaso Lopez-Nunez, known as "Licenciado," and uncle of cartel cell leader Damaso Lopez-Serrano, known as "Mini Lic," according to officials.
Lopez-Serrano turned himself into authorities on July 27. Damaso Lopez-Nunez was reportedly a close associate of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who was arrested in January 2016 following a daring prison escape.
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A San Diego federal grand jury returned an indictment on Aug. 19, 2016, charging Lopez-Serrano, Alvaro Lopez-Nunez and four associates, including Nahum Sicairos-Montalvo, with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances intended for importation, and conspiracy to import controlled substances.
Sicairos-Montalvo was arrested by Mexican officials the same day of the grand jury's indictment. The remaining associates remain at large.
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The charges against Alvaro Lopez-Nunez carry a possible punishment up to life in prison each. He will be transferred to San Diego to face those charges.
