Latest news with #JuanJoseFariasAlvarez
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Tennessee car accident leads to $10 million bounty for accused Mexican drug cartel leader dubbed "The Grandfather"
The investigation began years ago after two drug dealers got into a car accident in a small Tennessee town. What followed was a series of secret wiretaps, a shootout with police and the discovery of drugs hidden in a tractor trailer that would eventually lead federal investigators back to cartel leaders in Mexico. The investigation culminated with Justice Department indictments unsealed Thursday against three leaders and two high-ranking enforcers of the United Cartels, a leading rival of Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The U.S. government is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest of United Cartels' top leader, Juan José Farías Álvarez - "El Abuelo," or the grandfather - along with multimillion-dollar rewards for the four others. All five are believed to be in Mexico. The cases, as outlined in court documents, provide a glimpse into how drugs produced by violent cartels in large labs in Mexico flow across the U.S. border and reach American streets. They also highlight the violent fallout that drug trafficking leaves in its path from the mountains of Mexico to small U.S. towns. "These cases in particular serve as a powerful reminder of the insidious impacts that global cartels can have on our local American communities," Matthew Galeotti, acting assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department's criminal division said in an interview with The Associated Press. "The chain started with a violent cartel in Mexico and it ended with law enforcement being shot at in a small town." United Cartels is an umbrella organization made up of smaller cartels that have worked for different groups over time. It holds a fierce grip over the western state of Michoacan, Mexico, an area of economic interest to the United States because its avocado exports. United Cartels is not as widely known as Jalisco New Generation, but given its role as a prolific methamphetamine producer, it has become a top tier target for U.S. law enforcement. It was one of eight groups recently named foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration. The case goes back to 2019, when two dealers got into a car accident near Rockwood, Tennessee, outside of Knoxville, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in court. While fleeing the scene of the crash, they threw a hardened protective case filled with meth behind a building before being caught by police, according to court documents. Authorities began investigating, using wiretaps, search warrants and surveillance to identify a man believed to be leading a major drug ring in the Atlanta area: Eladio Mendoza. The investigation into Mendoza's suspected drug operation led law enforcement in early 2020 to a hotel near Atlanta. During their surveillance, authorities spotted a man leaving with a large Doritos bag. Troopers tried to stop the man after he drove from Georgia into Tennessee but he fled and fired an AK-style rifle at officers, hitting one in the leg before another trooper shot him. Inside the bag, police found meth and heroin, and identified him as a low-level dealer for Mendoza's drug ring, court records say. Weeks later, authorities searched properties linked to Mendoza and seized phones. They discovered messages between Mendoza and a close associate of "El Abuelo," the leader of United Cartels, that showed the drugs were coming from Mexico, according to the court records. On one of Mendoza's properties, investigators found a tractor trailer that had crossed from Mexico days earlier. When they searched it, authorities seized 850 kilograms of meth hidden in the floor of the truck and discovered more drugs inside a bus and a home on the property, court papers say. Mendoza fled the U.S. a short time later and returned to Mexico, where he was killed by cartel leaders angry that U.S. authorities had seized their cash and drugs, according to prosecutors. The Justice Department says United Cartels' drug distribution network spans the U.S., with hubs in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Kansas City, Sacramento, California, Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago. Federal prosecutors allege profits from drug sales in the U.S. are "allegedly used to acquire heavy weaponry, hire mercenaries, bribe local officials, and fund lavish lifestyles for cartel leaders." The case represents the latest effort by the Republican administration to turn up the pressure on cartels through not only indictments of the groups' leaders but sanctions targeting their financial network. The Treasury Department is also bringing economic sanctions against the five defendants as well as the United Cartels as a group and a cartel under its umbrella, Los Viagras. "We have to pursue these criminals up and down the chain to make sure that the end result doesn't result in violence and narcotics distribution on our streets," Galeotti said. In addition to "El Abuelo," those facing U.S. indictments are Alfonso Fernández Magallón, or Poncho, and Nicolás Sierra Santana or "El Gordo," who authorities say lead smaller cartels under the United Cartels organization. The two other defendants are Edgar Orozco Cabadas or "El Kamoni," who was communicating with Mendoza, and Luis Enrique Barragán Chavaz, or "Wicho," who serves as Magallón second-in-command, according to authorities. The Trump administration has seen major cooperation from Mexico in recent months in turning over cartel leaders wanted by U.S. authorities. In February, Mexico sent the U.S. 29 drug cartel figures, including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985, to the U.S. And on Tuesday, the Mexican government transferred to American custody 26 additional cartel leaders and other high-ranking members, including a man charged in connection to the killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy. "We're working with the Mexican authorities to pursue these individuals," Galeotti said. "We continue to work proactively with them, and we expect that they'll be helpful with us in securing the presence of these individuals in United States courtrooms." Last week, Mr. Trump directed the military to target drug cartels in Latin America, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to CBS News. It's not clear if or when the military could take action. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum responded by saying there would be "no invasion of Mexico."
NZ Herald
2 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
CNN
2 days ago
- CNN
A car accident in small-town Tennessee leads to US charges against a major Mexican drug operation
The investigation began years ago after two drug dealers got into a car accident in a small Tennessee town. What followed was a series of secret wiretaps, a shootout with police and the discovery of drugs hidden in a tractor trailer that would eventually lead federal investigators back to cartel leaders in Mexico. The investigation culminated with Justice Department indictments unsealed Thursday against three leaders and two high-ranking enforcers of the United Cartels, a leading rival of Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The US government is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest of United Cartels' top leader, Juan José Farías Álvarez — 'El Abuelo,' or the grandfather — along with multimillion-dollar rewards for the four others. All five are believed to be in Mexico. The cases, as outlined in court documents, provide a glimpse into how drugs produced by violent cartels in large labs in Mexico flow across the US border and reach American streets. They also highlight the violent fallout that drug trafficking leaves in its path from the mountains of Mexico to small US towns. 'These cases in particular serve as a powerful reminder of the insidious impacts that global cartels can have on our local American communities,' Matthew Galeotti, acting assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department's criminal division said in an interview with The Associated Press. 'The chain started with a violent cartel in Mexico and it ended with law enforcement being shot at in a small town.' United Cartels is an umbrella organization made up of smaller cartels that have worked for different groups over time. It holds a fierce grip over the western state of Michoacan, Mexico. United Cartels is not as widely known as Jalisco New Generation, but given its role as a prolific methamphetamine producer, it has become a top tier target for U.S. law enforcement. It was one of eight groups recently named foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration. The case goes back to 2019, when two dealers got into a car accident in a small town outside Knoxville, Tennessee, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in court. While fleeing the scene of the crash, they threw a hardened protective case filled with meth behind a building before being caught by police, according to court documents. Authorities began investigating, using wiretaps, search warrants and surveillance to identify a man believed to be leading a major drug ring in the Atlanta area: Eladio Mendoza. The investigation into Mendoza's suspected drug operation led law enforcement in early 2020 to a hotel near Atlanta. During their surveillance, authorities spotted a man leaving with a large Doritos bag. Troopers tried to stop the man after he drove from Georgia into Tennessee but he fled and fired an AK-style rifle at officers, hitting one in the leg before another trooper shot him. Inside the bag, police found meth and heroin, and identified him as a low-level dealer for Mendoza's drug ring, court records say. Weeks later, authorities searched properties linked to Mendoza and seized phones. They discovered messages between Mendoza and a close associate of 'El Abuelo,' the leader of United Cartels, that showed the drugs were coming from Mexico, according to the court records. On one of Mendoza's properties, investigators found a tractor trailer that had crossed from Mexico days earlier. When they searched it, authorities seized 850 kilograms of meth hidden in the floor of the truck and discovered more drugs inside a bus and a home on the property, court papers say. Mendoza fled the US a short time later and returned to Mexico, where he was killed by cartels leaders angry that U.S. authorities had seized their cash and drugs, according to prosecutors. The case represents the latest effort by the Republican administration to turn up the pressure on cartels through not only indictments of the groups' leaders but sanctions. The Treasury Department is also bringing economic sanctions against the five defendants as well as the United Cartels as a group and another cartel, Los Viagras. 'We have to pursue these criminals up and down the chain to make sure that the end result doesn't result in violence and narcotics distribution on our streets,' Galeotti said. In addition to 'El Abuelo,' those facing US indictments are Alfonso Fernández Magallón, or Poncho, and Nicolás Sierra Santana or 'El Gordo,' who authorities say lead smaller cartels under the United Cartels organization. The two other defendants are Edgar Orozco Cabadas or 'El Kamoni,' who was communicating with Mendoza, and Luis Enrique Barragán Chavaz, or 'Wicho,' who serves as Magallón second-in-command, according to authorities. The Trump administration has seen major cooperation from Mexico in recent months in turning over cartel leaders wanted by US authorities. In February, Mexico sent the US 29 drug cartel figures, including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985, to the U.S. And on Tuesday, the Mexican government transferred to American custody 26 additional cartel leaders and other high-ranking members, including a man charged in connection to the killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy. 'We're working with the Mexican authorities to pursue these individuals,' Galeotti said. 'We continue to work proactively with them, and we expect that they'll be helpful with us in securing the presence of these individuals in United States courtrooms.'
Straits Times
2 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
Reuters
2 days ago
- Reuters
US charges five members of Mexico's United Cartels, imposes sanctions
WASHINGTON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday charged five high-ranking members of the Carteles Unidos drug gang, known in English as United Cartels, while the Treasury Department announced it was imposing sanctions on the group. United Cartels, which is less widely known than some of its rivals, controls large areas of Michoacan, Mexico. The Justice Department called it one of the "most prolific" methamphetamine producers, and said that the proceeds from its illicit drug sales are used to acquire weapons, hire mercenaries, and bribe local officials. The group'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. They are charged with being a part of long-running conspiracies to manufacture and distribute drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, to be unlawfully imported into the United States. The State Department said it is offering collectively up to $26 million in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the five men. The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday said it was imposing sanctions against United Cartels as well as another cartel known as Los Viagras and against seven affiliated individuals. Earlier this week, Mexico sent more than two dozen suspected cartel members to the United States who were wanted for ties to drug-trafficking groups. The transfer of the 26 prisoners was the second of its kind this year. In February, Mexico also sent another 29 alleged cartel leaders. Federal prosecutors in New York City separately announced criminal charges against a number of cartel leaders, including Servando Gomez-Martinez of the cartel La Familia Michoacana and three leaders of the Sinaloa cartel. In February, President Donald Trump designated United Cartels, along with seven other different criminal gangs and cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco Nueva Generacion, Cartel del Noreste, Nueva Familia Michoacana and Cartel del Golfo, as foreign terrorist organizations.
