Mexican cartel leader Jesus Mendez-Vargas has been taken into U.S. custody on charges of conspiring to import cocaine and methamphetamine. The announcement was made by Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, alongside Frank A. Tarentino, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Mendez-Vargas appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo following his transfer from Mexico.
Matthew Podolsky stated: “As alleged, Jesus Mendez-Vargas was a leader of the violent drug trafficking organization, La Familia Michoacana, based in Mexico, with primary responsibility for the organization’s drug trafficking activities from approximately 2006 to 2011.” He emphasized that their office and law enforcement partners are committed to ensuring leaders of such organizations face justice.
Frank A. Tarentino added: “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.”
According to allegations in the indictment, Mendez-Vargas was a leader within La Familia Michoacana (LFM), a violent drug trafficking group operating out of Michoacan, Mexico. LFM controlled significant drug manufacturing and distribution channels and used violence to support its operations.
Mendez-Vargas faces charges that carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and could lead up to life imprisonment if convicted. These sentences are mandated by Congress but will ultimately be determined by a judge.
Podolsky praised the investigative work done by DEA’s New York Field Division and other supporting agencies involved in this operation as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling major criminal organizations.
The prosecution is being handled by several Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.
It should be noted that all charges mentioned in the indictment are accusations at this stage; Mendez-Vargas is presumed innocent until proven guilty.