The US Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs announced a $10 million reward on 14/8 for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Juan Jose Farias Alvarez, also known as "The Godfather," the leader of the Carteles Unidos drug cartel in Mexico.

In addition to Alvarez, the Department of State is offering rewards of $3-5 million for information on four other high-ranking Carteles Unidos leaders.

Juan Jose Farias Alvarez, leader of the Carteles Unidos drug cartel. Photo: US BNG

Juan Jose Farias Alvarez, leader of the Carteles Unidos drug cartel. Photo: US BNG

The US Department of Justice announced indictments against all five suspects on the same day. The agency stated that Carteles Unidos has trafficked large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine into the US, using the profits to "purchase heavy weapons, recruit mercenaries, bribe local officials, and fund the cartel leader’s lavish lifestyle."

The US Department of the Treasury also announced sanctions against members of Carteles Unidos and another cartel, Los Viagras.

Carteles Unidos began as an alliance of smaller drug cartels in the Mexican state of Michoacan to resist encroachment by larger criminal organizations. In February, the State Department designated Carteles Unidos and several other drug cartels as "foreign terrorist organizations."

Earlier this week, Mexico extradited 26 suspects wanted in the US, including several high-ranking leaders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel. This is the second such extradition since President Donald Trump took office in late January.

The Trump administration considers fentanyl and the cartels that traffic it a major national security threat. He has repeatedly warned that the US will take unilateral military action if Mexico does not dismantle the drug cartels on the border.

Nhu Tam (AFP, Reuters)