U.S. Charges Sinaloa Cartel Leaders with Terrorism

The U.S. Department of Justice has officially charged two prominent leaders of the Sinaloa cartel with serious terrorism offenses, while also offering a reward of $10 million for information that leads to their capture.

This week, the DOJ revealed an updated indictment bringing charges against 42-year-old Rene “La Lana” Alzate Garcia and his brother, 52-year-old Alfonso “Achilles” Alzate Garcia. They are facing narco-terrorism charges, alongside accusations of supporting terrorism and various drug-related crimes. Each brother carries a $5 million reward for tips that could lead to their arrest and successful prosecution.

Federal officials categorize La Lana as the chief of the Sinaloa Cartel Plaza in Tijuana, with his brother taking on the role of his close associate. Reports suggest they have a reputation for extreme violence, responsible for multiple kidnappings and murders in their region. The Tijuana branch of the Sinaloa Cartel is said to handle the transport of substantial amounts of drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. Additionally, Rene Alzate is implicated in a significant extortion scheme operating in Tijuana under the cartel’s umbrella.

Surprisingly, La Lana’s brutal methods have even earned him some notoriety in music circles, with Mexican ballads referencing his violent undertakings and those of the cartel’s enforcers.

The indictment against the Alzate Garcia brothers follows closely after the U.S. government assisted Mexican authorities in locating Ruben Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the head of the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel. Reports indicate a violent clash occurred during a raid where Mexican forces engaged with CJNG affiliates, resulting in El Mencho’s death. In retaliation, the cartel reportedly unleashed waves of violent attacks across the nation, including carjackings, setting fires to properties, and even a high-profile prison break near Puerto Vallarta.