Federal prosecutors announced the conviction of Eric Anthony Rodriguez, the fifth defendant in a substantial methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy associated with the Sinaloa Cartel. The U.S. District Court found Rodriguez guilty after a six-day trial, where he faced charges of conspiracy to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute. This conviction highlights the ongoing battle against drug trafficking organizations that operate across state lines, particularly those linked to powerful Mexican cartels.

Rodriguez was part of the Diaz-Aguilar Drug Trafficking Organization, which reportedly operated in Minnesota from April 2024 to March 2025. The organization was known for transporting significant quantities of meth into Minnesota, with shipments sometimes exceeding hundreds of pounds. The investigation has already led to prior guilty pleas from the group’s leader, Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, and three co-defendants, which underscores the scope and significance of this drug trafficking network.

This case is part of a broader effort by U.S. law enforcement to dismantle drug trafficking organizations linked to cartels like the Sinaloa. The ongoing investigation has also seen substantial drug seizures and reflects a growing concern regarding the influence of these cartels in the U.S. drug market. As authorities continue to combat such organizations, the implications of these convictions could lead to more extensive measures to address drug trafficking and its associated violence.