Mexican cartel leader Jesus Mendez-Vargas is now in U.S. custody facing charges of drug importation, according to a recent announcement by Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew Podolsky, and Frank A. Tarentino, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The indictment accuses Mendez-Vargas, also known as "Chango," of conspiring to import cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States.
Podolsky stated, “As alleged, Jesus Mendez-Vargas was a leader of the violent drug trafficking organization, La Familia Michoacana, based in Mexico.” He further noted that this organization was responsible for importing large quantities of drugs into the U.S. from 2006 to 2011 and engaging in violence against Mexican law enforcement officials who opposed them. "This Office and our law enforcement partners will not stop working to see that those who lead violent drug trafficking organizations are met with the consequences of their actions," he added.
Tarentino remarked on the significance of this case: “The indictment against Jesus Mendez-Vargas, leader of La Familia Michoacana cartel is another example of the DEA’s determination to identify, target and eliminate drug traffickers poisoning our communities with fentanyl and methamphetamine.”
The indictment alleges that La Familia Michoacana (LFM) controlled drug manufacturing and distribution in Michoacan and used Lazaro Cardenas port as a transshipment point for drugs entering the U.S. It also claims LFM engaged in violence to support its narcotics activities using military-grade weapons smuggled from the U.S.
Mendez-Vargas is charged with conspiring to import cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States. This charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The final sentencing will be determined by a judge.
The investigation received praise from Podolsky for its outstanding work by DEA’s New York Field Division and assistance from other agencies including the Justice Department’s Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Marshals Service.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation which aims to dismantle criminal organizations through multi-agency collaboration.
The prosecution team consists of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas S. Bradley, Jane Y. Chong, Sarah L. Kushner, Alexander N. Li, Daniel G. Nessim, David J. Robles, and Kyle A. Wirshba from the National Security and International Narcotics Unit.
All charges remain allegations until proven guilty as per legal standards.
