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Alleged MS-13 Leader Extradited to U.S. from Mexico
An alleged high-ranking member of the notorious MS-13 gang, Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, has been extradited to the United States after being apprehended in Mexico, according to an announcement made by FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday. Roman-Bardales, who was on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, was taken into custody on Monday by Mexican soldiers and federal agents in the mountainous region of Veracruz, a state situated along the Gulf coast. The FBI had previously offered a reward of $250,000 for information leading to his arrest.
"I can now confirm that last night, working with the Justice Department and other interagency partners, the FBI has extradited one of our Ten Most Wanted from Mexico—one we believe to be a key senior leader of MS-13, Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales," Patel declared in a statement. "He was arrested in Mexico and is being transported within the U.S. as we speak, where he will face American justice. This is a major victory both for our law enforcement partners and for a safer America. Thank you to our brave personnel for executing the mission. And thank you to Mexico’s SSPC and FGE teams for their support of the FBI in this investigation and arrest."
The FBI stated that Roman-Bardales faces charges in the Eastern District of New York, stemming from his alleged involvement in numerous violent acts against civilians and rival gang members. He is also accused of playing a significant role in drug distribution and extortion schemes operating within the United States and El Salvador. The Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, was among eight Latin American criminal organizations officially designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration the previous month, underscoring the severity with which the U.S. government views the gang’s activities.
Roman-Bardales’ extradition follows a similar event nearly a month prior, when Mexican authorities extradited another individual involved in drug cartel activities to the United States. Jesus Ricardo Patron Sanchez, 39, faces charges related to drug trafficking in New York City, specifically for his alleged involvement with the H-2 cartel.
The escalating drug crisis in the United States has been a major concern for law enforcement agencies. The head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stated last year that the country is facing the "most dangerous and deadly drug crisis" in its history, with fentanyl and methamphetamine being smuggled across the border at alarming rates. The DEA identified the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels as being central to this crisis.
Prosecutors allege that under Sanchez’s direction, the H-2 cartel transported cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine into the U.S. on a monthly basis from June 2013 to December 2016. The cartel reportedly utilized multiple distribution cells throughout the country, including New York, Las Vegas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Los Angeles, to traffic "large quantities" of drugs.
According to U.S. Attorney John Durham, "As alleged in the indictment and court filings, Sanchez was one of the principal leaders of the H-2 Drug Trafficking Organization, a brutally violent transnational criminal organization that flooded American streets with dangerous drugs and protected its operations through murder and corruption." The indictment also alleges that Sanchez directed members of the cartel to kill members of other drug trafficking organizations and perceived rivals.
The arrest and swift extradition of Roman-Bardales come just weeks after Mexico handed over 29 drug cartel figures, including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was allegedly behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985.
Mexico has also intensified its operations against the Sinaloa Cartel, a primary trafficker of fentanyl into the United States. President Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to demonstrate to then President Donald Trump that Mexico is a reliable partner in security and immigration matters. These efforts appear to have been successful in preventing the implementation of tariffs threatened by the Trump administration.
In addition to the extradition of Roman-Bardales, the Trump administration sent two other high-ranking members of MS-13 to El Salvador, along with hundreds of Venezuelan nationals. These actions reflect a broader effort by the U.S. government to combat transnational criminal organizations and address issues related to immigration and national security.
The collaborative efforts between the United States and Mexico in apprehending and extraditing individuals like Roman-Bardales and Sanchez demonstrate the importance of international cooperation in combating organized crime and drug trafficking. The successful extradition of these individuals represents a significant victory for law enforcement and underscores the commitment of both countries to working together to ensure the safety and security of their citizens. The designation of MS-13 and other criminal organizations as foreign terrorist organizations reflects the seriousness with which the U.S. government views these groups and their impact on national security. The focus on disrupting drug trafficking networks and bringing those responsible to justice highlights the ongoing efforts to combat the drug crisis and protect communities from the devastating effects of drug abuse and violence.
The ongoing cooperation between the United States and Mexico on security matters is crucial for addressing the complex challenges posed by transnational criminal organizations and drug trafficking. The extradition of high-profile figures like Roman-Bardales serves as a deterrent to other criminals and sends a clear message that those who engage in violent and illegal activities will be held accountable for their actions.
