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U.S. Authorities Indict Leaders of La Nueva Familia Michoacana Drug Cartel
On Tuesday, federal officials announced the indictment of two high-ranking leaders of a prominent Mexican drug cartel, offering rewards totaling $8 million for information leading to their capture and prosecution. The indictment targets Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga and his brother, Jose Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga.
The authorities allege the brothers are deeply involved in a conspiracy that includes the production and distribution of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl within the United States. This indictment, which was made public after being returned by a grand jury in September, underscores the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and its devastating impact on American communities.
The Olascoaga brothers are at the helm of La Nueva Familia Michoacana, a cartel designated by the U.S. government as a “foreign terrorist organization” in February. “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,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement highlighting the government’s commitment to tackling drug-related crime.
The State Department offers a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga’s arrest or conviction, while up to $3 million is available for information regarding his brother, who is also known as “The Strawberry.” Current intelligence suggests both individuals remain in Mexico.
In a related move, the U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions on Wednesday against the Olascoaga brothers and two additional alleged cartel leaders. This action reflects the broader strategy of the U.S. government to combat organizations designated as foreign terrorist entities.
In addition to drug trafficking, the Familia Michoacana cartel has been implicated in severe criminal activities including extortion, kidnapping, and murder as reported by U.S. prosecutors. A human rights organization in Mexico noted a recent incident where a community in Guerrero faced violent attacks from individuals believed to be associated with the cartel, resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries.
In 2023, the cartel was also linked to a gruesome discovery near Mexico City, where a dismembered human leg was found hanging from a pedestrian bridge, with the torso left on the street nearby. This incident was accompanied by threatening messages attributed to the Familia Michoacana cartel.
The U.S. Treasury described the cartel’s brutal tactics, stating they have employed drones to launch attacks on rivals, showing a blatant disregard for civilian safety. The statement further highlighted their systematic use of violence, including kidnappings and extortion, to instill fear within communities.
In 2022, a self-identified leader of the cartel made headlines by posting a video on social media, asserting that an attack that resulted in 20 deaths was targeted at him, drawing attention to the alarming climate of violence that surrounds cartel activities.
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