The United States has taken custody of 26 fugitives extradited from Mexico, all facing federal and state criminal charges in the U.S. The cases involve offenses such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, human smuggling, money laundering, and firearms violations. Authorities say many of the suspects are connected to major Mexican drug cartels including the Sinaloa Cartel, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), and Cártel del Noreste.
“Today is the latest example of the Trump administration’s historic efforts to dismantle cartels and foreign terrorist organizations,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “These 26 men have all played a role in bringing violence and drugs to American shores — under this Department of Justice, they will face severe consequences for their crimes against this country. We are grateful to Mexico’s National Security team for their collaboration in this matter.”
Notable among those extradited is Abigael Gonzalez Valencia (“Cuini”), identified as a leader within Los Cuinis cartel, which is accused of moving large quantities of cocaine into the U.S. Other individuals include Kevin Gil Acosta and Martin Zazueta Perez, alleged leaders for the security wing of “the Chapitos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. Both are said to have organized armed groups using military-grade weapons to protect cartel operations and leaders.
Authorities also named Abdul Karim Conteh from Sierra Leone as an alleged head of a human smuggling ring that moved thousands of migrants from various countries—including Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Somalia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Egypt—into the United States via Mexico. According to officials, migrants paid significant fees for illicit entry by means such as ladders and tunnels.
Leobardo Garcia Corrales is believed by investigators to be a key Sinaloa Cartel member involved in fentanyl trafficking; he reportedly exchanged drugs for military weapons and claims ties with Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera.
Other individuals include Luis Raul Castro Valenzuela (“Chacho”), charged with kidnapping a U.S. citizen; Juan Carlos Felix Gastelum (“El Chavo Félix”), described as operating clandestine methamphetamine labs linked to the Sinaloa Cartel; Roberto Salazar, wanted in connection with the 2008 killing of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Juan Escalante; and Pablo Edwin Huerta Nuno (“Flaquito”), identified as a Tijuana Plaza boss who supplied narcotics throughout Southern California.
The full list includes defendants set for arraignment in federal courts across multiple jurisdictions such as New York, California, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, Alaska, Massachusetts, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois—and Los Angeles County at the state level—with most facing maximum penalties up to life imprisonment.
Attorney General Bondi expressed appreciation for support from several law enforcement agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE/HSI), Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Police Department.
Bondi also acknowledged contributions from Justice Department units such as its Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section; multiple U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide; and its Office of International Affairs which helped coordinate these extraditions.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
