Latest news with #CartelesUnidos
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- NZ Herald
US offers $16.9m reward for United Cartels leader arrest
The United States offered a US$10 million ($16.9m) reward on Thursday for information leading to the arrest of Juan Jose Farias Alvarez, head of the Mexican drug trafficking group Carteles Unidos. Farias Alvarez, nicknamed 'El Abuelo', or the grandfather, was one of five high-ranking members of Carteles Unidos – the
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Toronto Sun
U.S. offers $10M reward for United Cartels leader arrest
Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the Mexican government's transfer of 26 wanted fugitives to US custody Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP/File Washington (AFP) — The United States offered a $10 million reward on Thursday for information leading to the arrest of Juan Jose Farias Alvarez, head of the Mexican drug trafficking group Carteles Unidos. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Farias Alvarez, nicknamed 'El Abuelo,' or the grandfather, was one of five high-ranking members of Carteles Unidos — the United Cartels in English — whose criminal indictments were unsealed by the Justice Department on Thursday. 'Today's charges are designed to dismantle the United Cartels and bring their leaders to justice for unleashing death and destruction on American citizens,' Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. The US Treasury Department simultaneously announced it was imposing sanctions on members of the United Cartels and another group known as Los Viagras. 'Treasury, alongside our partners in US law enforcement, will continue to target every effort by the cartels to generate revenue for their violent, criminal schemes,' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The State Department designated the Michoacan-based United Cartels and other drug trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations in February. Aside from Farias Alvarez, rewards of $5 million each were announced for Nicolas Sierra Santana, known as 'El Gordo,' and Alfonso Fernandez Magallon, known as 'Poncho,' and $3 million each for Luis Enrique Barragan Chavez, known as 'Wicho,' and Edgar Orozco Cabadas, known as 'El Kamoni.' According to the Justice Department, the United Cartels are a major supplier of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine to the United States. 'Profits from US drug sales are allegedly used to acquire heavy weaponry, hire mercenaries, bribe local officials, and fund lavish lifestyles for cartel leaders,' it said. The announcement comes two days after Mexico transferred 26 wanted fugitives to the United States, including several high-ranking members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel. The transfer was the second since Republican Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. In late February, Mexico sent 29 accused drug traffickers to the United States, including Rafael Caro Quintero, who was accused of kidnapping and killing US drug enforcement special agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena in 1985. Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA World Columnists
Al Jazeera
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Trump administration sanctions two Mexican drug cartels, announces bounties
The United States Treasury Department has revealed it is sanctioning two Mexican drug cartels, Carteles Unidos and Los Viagras, and seven affiliated individuals on allegations of 'terrorism'. The Treasury Department announced the sanctions on Thursday. Separately, the Justice Department stated it was charging five high-ranking members of Carteles Unidos with crimes related to drug trafficking. 'These actions further President Donald Trump's directive to completely eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations threatening the American people,' the Treasury said in a social media post. In a statement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that the sanctions would help the US government hamstring the cartel's ability to generate revenue, including through cross-border commerce. 'Today's sanctions action draws further attention to the diverse, insidious ways the cartels engage in violent activities and exploit otherwise legitimate commerce,' Bessent said. Both Carteles Unidos and Los Viagras are said to be active in the Mexican state of Michoacan, where the Treasury said that they use funds from drug trafficking to hire mercenaries, bribe officials and buy weapons. Thursday's sanctions will freeze any US-based assets the targeted individuals may have, and people in the US are prohibited from making transactions with them. The Trump administration has pledged to take a hard line against criminal groups and those involved in drug trafficking, including by labelling some Latin American criminal networks as 'foreign terrorist organisations'. Experts, however, have questioned the efficacy of such steps and raised fears that they could backfire, penalising nonprofits and civilians who live and work in gang-controlled territory. Also on Thursday, the Department of Justice announced that it was offering rewards for information leading to the arrests of Carteles Unidos leader Juan Jose Farias Alvarez, also known as 'El Abuelo' or 'The Grandfather', as well as Alfonso Fernandez Magallon, Luis Enrique Barragan Chavez, Edgar Orozco Cabadas and Nicolas Sierra Santana. They are charged with participation in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute drugs for importation to the US. Altogether, the rewards totalled $26m, with the highest single bounty offered for Farias Alvarez, at $10m. Earlier this week, the Mexican government sent 26 suspected cartel members to the US to face charges, the second such transfer this year. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasised that the transfer was a 'sovereign decision' she undertook, but critics have expressed concern that the US has been exerting increasing pressure on her government to bend to its will. Last week, for example, US media reported that Trump signed an order authorising the US military to carry out operations against cartels and other criminal groups, a move that Mexican politicians have warned could result in US troops on Mexican soil. That, critics warn, would constitute a serious violation of the country's sovereignty. Sheinbaum, however, attempted to dispel concerns in a news conference: 'There will be no invasion of Mexico,' she said. Mexico, meanwhile, has also called on the US to take greater steps to restrict the massive flow of weapons from sellers and manufacturers north of the border. Mexican authorities and other experts have argued that those weapons fuel the violence committed by criminal groups. But the US has rebuffed such efforts, and in June, the US Supreme Court struck down a lawsuit from the Mexican government arguing that the flow of illicit firearms constituted negligence.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
US offers $13m reward for arrest of United Cartels leader
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Members of Mexico's federal forces escort prisoners wanted in the US for ties to drug-trafficking groups into a plane, on Aug 12. WASHINGTON - The United States offered a US$10 million (S$13 million) reward on Aug 14 for information leading to the arrest of Juan Jose Farias Alvarez, head of the Mexican drug trafficking group Carteles Unidos. Farias Alvarez, nicknamed 'El Abuelo', or the grandfather, was one of five high-ranking members of Carteles Unidos – United Cartels in English – whose criminal indictments were unsealed by the Justice Department on Aug 14. 'Today's charges are designed to dismantle the United Cartels and bring their leaders to justice for unleashing death and destruction on American citizens,' Attorney-General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. The US Treasury Department simultaneously announced it was imposing sanctions on members of United Cartels and another group known as Los Viagras. 'Treasury, alongside our partners in US law enforcement, will continue to target every effort by the cartels to generate revenue for their violent, criminal schemes,' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. The State Department designated the Michoacan-based United Cartels and other drug trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organisations in February. Aside from Farias Alvarez, rewards of US$5 million each were announced for Nicolas Sierra Santana, known as 'El Gordo', and Alfonso Fernandez Magallon, known as 'Poncho', and US$3 million each for Luis Enrique Barragan Chavez, known as 'Wicho', and Edgar Orozco Cabadas, known as 'El Kamoni'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 100 people being investigated for vape offences, say MOH and HSA Singapore Bukit Merah fire: Residents relocated as town council carries out restoration works Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore askST: What are the fire safety rules for PMDs? Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at wrong airport in South Korea Asia India and China work to improve ties amid Trump's unpredictability Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength According to the Justice Department, United Cartels is a major supplier of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine to the US. 'Profits from US drug sales are allegedly used to acquire heavy weaponry, hire mercenaries, bribe local officials, and fund lavish lifestyles for cartel leaders,' it said. The announcement comes two days after Mexico transferred 26 wanted fugitives to the US, including several high-ranking members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel. The transfer was the second since Republican Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. In late February, Mexico sent 29 accused drug traffickers to the US, including Rafael Caro Quintero, who was accused of kidnapping and killing US drug enforcement special agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena in 1985. AFP
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
US charges five members of Mexico's United Cartels, announces reward up to $26 million
The Justice Department on Thursday charged five senior members of Carteles Unidos (United Cartels) for their roles in the trafficking of illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl into the US. According to the Justice Department, United Cartels, which controls large areas of Michoacán, Mexico, is one of the 'most prolific' methamphetamine producers. Proceeds from its illicit drug sales are allegedly used to acquire weapons, hire mercenaries, and bribe local officials. Carteles Unidos's members who are facing charges include its leader, Juan Jose Farias Alvarez, also known as El Abuelo, along with Alfonso Fernandez Magallon, Luis Enrique Barragan Chavez, Edgar Orozco Cabadas, and Nicolas Sierra Santana. On Thursday, the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs also announced reward offers under the Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP) for information leading to the arrests and convictions of the cartel leaders. A total of $26 million has been announced as a reward for information on the cartel leaders, with Farias Alvarez carrying the maximum reward – $10 million. Rewards for information on other Carteles Unidos range from $3 million to $5 million. 'Members of the Carteles Unidos, and their associates, are involved in the large-scale production of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Michoacán territory that they control. Cocaine is acquired from Colombia and then forwarded into the United States using some of the same transportation channels used to ship methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States,' the State Department said. The US Treasury Department also announced sanctions against United Cartels, as well as another cartel known as Los Viagras and against seven affiliated individuals. 'Today's sanctions action draws further attention to the diverse, insidious ways the cartels engage in violent activities and exploit otherwise legitimate commerce,' said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. Earlier, on Tuesday, Mexican authorities had sent 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the United States as part of a major deal with the Trump administration. This includes Abigael González Valencia, a leader of 'Los Cuinis,' a group closely aligned with the Jalisco New Generation and members of the Sinaloa Cartel. In February, the US had designated CJNG, Sinaloa cartel, Tren de Aragua, MS-13, Cártel del Noreste, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Cártel de Golfo, and Cárteles Unidos as foreign terrorist organizations.
