The United States has taken custody of 26 fugitives from Mexico, including high-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, and Cártel del Noreste, in an operation targeting cartel leaders, violent enforcers, and human smugglers. The charges span drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, money laundering, and firearms violations.
Among them is Jose Carlos Guzman Bernal, who is charged in the District of Alaska and faces up to life imprisonment if convicted. Federal prosecutors allege that Guzman Bernal played a significant role in trafficking fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into Alaska, contributing to the state’s growing overdose crisis.
“Today is the latest example of the Trump administration’s historic efforts to dismantle cartels and foreign terrorist organizations,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “These 26 men have all played a role in bringing violence and drugs to American shores — under this Department of Justice, they will face severe consequences for their crimes against this country.”
The fugitives include leaders and enforcers for cartels designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. U.S. officials say they are collectively responsible for importing tons of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin into the United States.
Other notable defendants include:
- Abigael Gonzalez Valencia (“Cuini”) – leader of Los Cuinis, accused of moving multi-ton cocaine shipments from South America into the U.S.
- Kevin Gil Acosta & Martin Zazueta Perez – Sinaloa Cartel security bosses for the Chapitos faction, charged with protecting fentanyl labs and attacking Mexican officials with military-grade weapons.
- Abdul Karim Conteh – accused of leading a global human smuggling network that brought thousands of migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia into the U.S. via Mexico.
- Luis Raul Castro Valenzuela (“Chacho”) – charged with kidnapping and holding hostage a U.S. citizen.
- Juan Carlos Felix Gastelum (“El Chavo Félix”) – alleged operator of methamphetamine “super labs” in Sinaloa and Durango.
- Roberto Salazar – wanted in the 2008 killing of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Juan Escalante.
- Pablo Edwin Huerta Nuno (“Flaquito”) – Tijuana Plaza boss accused of supplying thousands of kilograms of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine to Southern California.
Officials say the custody transfers were made in close coordination with Mexico’s National Security team, marking one of the most significant joint anti-cartel actions in recent years.