2 Mexican nationals plead guilty to human smuggling, supporting designated terrorist organization

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Thursday, two Mexican Nationals pleaded guilty in federal court to human smuggling and supporting the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in Mexico.

The Trump Administration designated the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization, the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Field Division said.

The DEA said Maria Del Rosario Navarro-Sanchez and Gustavo Castro-Medina pleaded guilty to federal charges, including drug trafficking and supporting a Mexican criminal group.

According to the Justice Department's Criminal Division, the two smuggled methamphetamine and people into the U.S. in exchange for money. They also made money by conspiring to export AK-47-style weapons and rifles to Mexico for the cartel.

Navarro-Sanchez also had stash houses in El Paso, where she would warehouse firearms and narcotics, the DEA said.

Both participated in smuggling methamphetamine and people into the U.S., the DEA said. They also attempted to export high-powered weapons to Mexico in exchange for money, including rifles and AK-47-style weapons.

In April 2025, the pair and their co-conspirators were indicted. The DEA said the Mexican government transferred the two to the U.S. following national security law.

Navarro-Sanchez and Castro-Medina face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. A sentencing date hasn't been set.