The Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has announced monetary rewards for information leading to the arrests or convictions of leaders of the La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LNFM) cartel. The Narcotics Rewards Program is offering up to $5 million for information on Mexican narcotics trafficker Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga, known as “Pez,” and up to $3 million for his brother, Jose Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga, or “Fresa.”
The Hurtado Olascoaga brothers are leaders of LNFM, a cartel recently designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the Secretary of State on February 20. This marks the first time that rewards have been announced for a cartel with such a designation.
The LNFM operates in the State of Mexico, as well as parts of Michoacán and Guerrero. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the cartel is responsible for the transportation, importation, and distribution of over 36 metric tons of methamphetamine, 12 metric tons of Mexican heroin, and 12 metric tons of cocaine annually from Mexico to the United States.
These reward offers are in conjunction with the Department of Justice’s indictment of the Hurtado Olascoaga brothers in the Northern District of Georgia. The charges against them include conspiracy to manufacture and distribute heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, knowing these substances would be imported into the United States. Additional charges include importation conspiracy and drug distribution conspiracy. On the same day, the Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced new sanctions against the brothers and two other LNFM members.
The rewards are authorized by the Secretary under the Narcotics Rewards Program, supporting efforts to disrupt transnational crime globally and bring fugitives to justice. This initiative aligns with President Trump’s “America First” priorities.
Individuals with information can contact the DEA at +1 404-281-3220, either by text, WhatsApp, or Signal. Those outside the United States can reach out to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, while individuals in the U.S. can contact their local DEA field office. The confidentiality of identities is strictly maintained, and rewards are not available to government officials and employees.
