Mexico Transfers 37 Alleged Cartel Figures to the United States

Mexico has transferred 37 alleged drug traffickers to the United States, according to Security and Citizen Protection Secretary Omar García Harfuch, who announced the operation on social media.

García Harfuch said the transfer was carried out by Mexico’s federal security cabinet and involved individuals authorities described as posing “a real threat to the country’s security.”

The detainees were transported aboard seven military aircraft to several U.S. cities, including Washington, Houston, New York, Pennsylvania, San Antonio, and San Diego. Mexican authorities said the operation was coordinated with the U.S. Department of Justice, which agreed not to seek the death penalty against any of the transferred suspects.

Authorities released the following list of individuals transferred to the United States:

1. Ricardo Cortés Mateos, “El Billetón,” financial operator for the Gulf Cartel faction Los Escorpiones
2. Fidel Félix Ochoa, “Don Fido”
3. Óscar Hernández Flores
4. Juan Pedro Saldívar Farías, “Z-27,” identified as third in command of Los Zetas
5. Luis Alfonso Navarro Quezada, “Pez,” linked to Los Hermanos Bonques, affiliated with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)
6. Eliezer David Seas Centeno, “El Picho,” accused of kidnapping and drug trafficking
7. Daniel Alfredo Blanco Joo, “El Cubano,” logistics operator for the Pacific Cartel and an FBI priority target
8. Carlos Alberto Guerrero Mercado, “El Químico”
9. Jair Francisco Patrón Tobías, “H4” or “Crixus,” son of Juan Francisco Patrón Sánchez, “El H2,” a Beltrán Leyva lieutenant
10. Guillermo Isaías Pérez Parra
11. Manuel Ignacio Correa, “El Argentino”
12. Lucas Anthony Mendoza and/or Francisco López Martínez, “T”
13. Yahir Alejandro Luján Rojo, “Rojo”
14. Eliomar Segura Torres, “Helio”
15. Eduardo Rigoberto Velasco Calderón
16. Gustavo Adolfo Castro Medina
17. Roberto González Hernández, “El 04,” leader of Los Cabrera Sarabia, a Pacific Cartel faction
18. Heriberto Hernández Rodríguez, “Negrolo,” leader of the Northeast Cartel
19. María del Rosario Navarro Sánchez, “La Señora,” linked to the CJNG and wanted by the FBI
20. Ricardo González Sauceda, “El Ricky,” regional leader of the Northeast Cartel
21. Francisco Arredondo Colmenero, “Pancho”
22. Luis Carlos Dávalos López
23. Daniel Menera Sierra, “Dany”
24. Humberto Rivera Rivera, “El Viejón,” Pacific Cartel operator and FBI priority target
25. Juan Pablo Bastidas Erenas, “Payo Zurita,” logistics operator for the Beltrán Leyva organization
26. Abraham Macías Mendoza, “Don Abraham”
27. Julio César Mancera Dozal, “Tortuga,” member of the Pacific Cartel faction Los Mayos
28. Pedro Inzunza Noriega, “El Señor de la Silla,” father of Pedro Inzunza Coronel, described as second in command of the Beltrán Leyva organization
29. José Luis Sánchez Valencia, “El Chalaman,” CJNG operator
30. Juan Carlos Alonso Reyes
31. Rodrigo Pérez Mezquite, “Don Rodrigo”
32. Jorge Damián Román Figueroa, “El Soldado,” leader of Los Malas-Mañas, affiliated with Pacific Cartel–Los Mayos
33. Armando Gómez Núñez, “Delta1,” leader of Los Deltas, affiliated with the CJNG
34. Hernán Geovani Ojeda Elenes, “Inge”
35. José Pineda Pérez, “Pretty Boy”
36. José Torres or José Torres Espinoza, “Big Joe”
37. José Gerardo Álvarez Vázquez, “El Indio,” lieutenant of the Beltrán Leyva organization

Mexican officials said the transfers underscore ongoing cooperation between Mexico and the United States against transnational organized crime.