Kash Patel Apprehends 8 Mexicans Wanted for Murder, Drug Trafficking
In a decisive move underscoring the administration’s commitment to national security, FBI Director Kash Patel announced on Friday the apprehension of eight Mexican nationals implicated in severe criminal activities, including murder and drug trafficking. Among those detained were two former FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, signaling a significant victory in the ongoing battle against organized crime.
One of the most notable apprehensions was that of Rafael Caro Quintero, a figure infamously linked to the 1985 kidnapping and murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena Salazar. Caro Quintero, regarded as a godfather of Mexican drug trafficking, co-founded the Guadalajara Cartel in the late 1970s. He allegedly became a primary supplier of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana to the U.S., overseeing operations across Costa Rica and the U.S.-Mexico border. His case, investigated by the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office, will proceed in the Eastern District of New York.
Another significant arrest was that of Alder Marin Sotelo, charged with the August 11, 2022, homicide of Deputy Ned Byrd from the Wake County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office. Indicted on first-degree murder charges on August 23, 2022, Marin Sotelo’s case was handled by the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office. He faces federal weapons charges in the Middle District of North Carolina and state murder charges in North Carolina State Court.
Jose Rodolfo Villareal-Hernández, alias “El Gato,” was also detained. He is accused of orchestrating the 2013 murder-for-hire of a 43-year-old male victim in Southlake, Texas. As a high-ranking member of the Beltran-Leyva Organization (BLO) Drug Cartel, Villareal-Hernández allegedly oversaw significant cocaine imports into the U.S. and perpetrated violent acts to maintain the cartel’s dominance. Captured on January 7, 2023, in Atizapán de Zaragoza, Mexico, his case, investigated by the FBI’s Dallas Field Office, will be prosecuted in the Northern District of Texas for interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire.
The FBI’s Washington and San Diego Field Offices collaborated to apprehend Jose Angel Canobbio-Inzunza, known as “Guerito,” a key leader and finance manager of the Sinaloa Cartel’s Los Chapitos faction. He allegedly managed narcotics trafficking, an armed enforcement group, and corrupt relationships on behalf of the cartel. Arrested recently in Sinaloa by the Mexican Army, he faces narcotrafficking charges in the Northern District of Illinois.
Rodolfo Lopez Ibarra, facing drug-trafficking charges that could lead to life imprisonment, was apprehended following an investigation by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. His case will be prosecuted in the District of Columbia, per Breitbart News.
Canadian national Andrew Clark, residing in Mexico, was detained for allegedly operating a transnational drug trafficking operation. This operation purportedly transported hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and Southern California to Canada and other U.S. locations. Investigated by the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, Clark is charged with four murders and one attempted murder, with proceedings set in the Central District of California.
Luis Geraldo Méndez Estevane, a high-ranking Barrio Azteca lieutenant, was arrested for his involvement in multiple federal offenses, including murder, racketeering, and drug conspiracy. He is notably linked to the March 13, 2010, murders of two U.S. consulate employees in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and an El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Detention Officer. The FBI’s El Paso Field Office led the investigation, and Méndez was indicted in the Western District of Texas.
Lastly, Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, former leader of the Juarez Cartel, was apprehended on narcotrafficking charges. He is accused of facilitating narcotics trafficking into the U.S. and orchestrating significant violence in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and the El Paso, Texas area. His case, investigated by the FBI’s El Paso Field Office, will proceed in the Eastern District of New York.
A spokeswoman for Director Patel conveyed to Breitbart News, “Under Kash’s leadership, the FBI is once again putting American safety first, ensuring that no criminal enterprise—no matter how powerful—can operate without consequences. The message is clear: Justice will be served, and the era of lawlessness is over.”
One of the most notable apprehensions was that of Rafael Caro Quintero, a figure infamously linked to the 1985 kidnapping and murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena Salazar. Caro Quintero, regarded as a godfather of Mexican drug trafficking, co-founded the Guadalajara Cartel in the late 1970s. He allegedly became a primary supplier of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana to the U.S., overseeing operations across Costa Rica and the U.S.-Mexico border. His case, investigated by the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office, will proceed in the Eastern District of New York.
Another significant arrest was that of Alder Marin Sotelo, charged with the August 11, 2022, homicide of Deputy Ned Byrd from the Wake County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office. Indicted on first-degree murder charges on August 23, 2022, Marin Sotelo’s case was handled by the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office. He faces federal weapons charges in the Middle District of North Carolina and state murder charges in North Carolina State Court.
Jose Rodolfo Villareal-Hernández, alias “El Gato,” was also detained. He is accused of orchestrating the 2013 murder-for-hire of a 43-year-old male victim in Southlake, Texas. As a high-ranking member of the Beltran-Leyva Organization (BLO) Drug Cartel, Villareal-Hernández allegedly oversaw significant cocaine imports into the U.S. and perpetrated violent acts to maintain the cartel’s dominance. Captured on January 7, 2023, in Atizapán de Zaragoza, Mexico, his case, investigated by the FBI’s Dallas Field Office, will be prosecuted in the Northern District of Texas for interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire.
The FBI’s Washington and San Diego Field Offices collaborated to apprehend Jose Angel Canobbio-Inzunza, known as “Guerito,” a key leader and finance manager of the Sinaloa Cartel’s Los Chapitos faction. He allegedly managed narcotics trafficking, an armed enforcement group, and corrupt relationships on behalf of the cartel. Arrested recently in Sinaloa by the Mexican Army, he faces narcotrafficking charges in the Northern District of Illinois.
Rodolfo Lopez Ibarra, facing drug-trafficking charges that could lead to life imprisonment, was apprehended following an investigation by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. His case will be prosecuted in the District of Columbia, per Breitbart News.
Canadian national Andrew Clark, residing in Mexico, was detained for allegedly operating a transnational drug trafficking operation. This operation purportedly transported hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and Southern California to Canada and other U.S. locations. Investigated by the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, Clark is charged with four murders and one attempted murder, with proceedings set in the Central District of California.
Luis Geraldo Méndez Estevane, a high-ranking Barrio Azteca lieutenant, was arrested for his involvement in multiple federal offenses, including murder, racketeering, and drug conspiracy. He is notably linked to the March 13, 2010, murders of two U.S. consulate employees in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and an El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Detention Officer. The FBI’s El Paso Field Office led the investigation, and Méndez was indicted in the Western District of Texas.
Lastly, Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, former leader of the Juarez Cartel, was apprehended on narcotrafficking charges. He is accused of facilitating narcotics trafficking into the U.S. and orchestrating significant violence in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and the El Paso, Texas area. His case, investigated by the FBI’s El Paso Field Office, will proceed in the Eastern District of New York.
A spokeswoman for Director Patel conveyed to Breitbart News, “Under Kash’s leadership, the FBI is once again putting American safety first, ensuring that no criminal enterprise—no matter how powerful—can operate without consequences. The message is clear: Justice will be served, and the era of lawlessness is over.”
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