In November, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations worked with Border Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration to indict Jose Alfredo Cardenas-Martinez, 42, for several charges linked to his position as head of the Gulf Cartel.
According to a March 24 ICE news release, Cardenas-Martinez, also known as El Contador, was the head of the Cardenas family, which reportedly runs a drug trafficking operation based in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to court documents, Cardenas-Martinez has been the head of the family since 2015. According to the indictment, Cardenas-Martinez intended to distribute meth, cocaine and fentanyl into the U.S.
“Through the joint investigation from our office in Harlingen, in coordination with our Attache in Mexico and other partners, we were able to gather significant evidence that was instrumental in this case,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux also spoke of the indictment.
“The arrest of Jose Alfredo Cardenas-Martinez serves a tough blow to the Gulf Cartel organization," Comeaux said. "It is the culmination of a successful international drug investigation which should disrupt the Gulf Cartel’s ability to smuggle drugs into Texas and other communities.”
According to ICE, Cardenas-Martinez faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million fine if convicted. He is currently being held in custody in Mexico.
