Siblings Johnny and Jose Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga, identified as leaders of the La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LNFM) drug cartel, have been charged by a federal grand jury in Georgia. They face charges of conspiracy related to the trafficking and distribution of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl with intent for import into the United States. These charges follow the unsealing of indictments returned in September 2024.
Prior to the indictment, Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga was noted as a Consolidated Priority Target by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. Both brothers are believed to be fugitives residing in Mexico. In addition to these charges, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has announced sanctions against the Hurtado Olascoaga siblings, including other LNFM members.
The U.S. Department of State has labeled LNFM as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. Furthermore, a rewards program offers millions for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the Hurtado brothers.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “Today’s indictments and OFAC sanctions against high-ranking LNFM cartel members sends a clear message: if you contribute to the death of Americans by peddling poison into our communities, we will work relentlessly to find you and bring you to justice.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie Jr. said, “These cartel members are allegedly responsible for importing massive amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl from Mexico to the Atlanta area and across the United States, and then wiring hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds from distributing those drugs back to Mexico.”
Other members of the cartel, including Franco Tabares Martinez and his family, are also facing charges and sanctions. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent emphasized, “Today’s action underscores our commitment to intensify the pressure on violent drug cartels like LNFM.”
In related charges, Guadalupe Tabares Martinez of Georgia has been charged with international money laundering and operating an unlicensed business, linked to assisting LNFM's operations by transferring drug proceeds to Mexico.
The investigation has been led by the DEA and Homeland Security Investigations, with ongoing efforts to dismantle the cartel. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laurel Milam and Bethany Rupert are prosecuting the case.
This case forms part of a broader initiative, Operation Take Back America, aiming to combat illegal immigration and eliminate transnational criminal organizations. Efforts involve multi-agency task forces working to disrupt major trafficking and laundering networks.
Members of the public are reminded that the charges against defendants are not proof of guilt. Legal proceedings are ongoing, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in court. The case continues under the supervision of the Atlanta OCDETF Strike Force, dedicated to targeting significant drug trafficking organizations.
