SAN DIEGO (AP) – On Thursday, the U.S. State Department announced a reward of up to $10 million for information that could lead to the arrests or convictions of two brothers who are prominent leaders of the Sinaloa cartel, specifically in the Baja California region, which includes the city of Tijuana. This strategic move highlights the ongoing battle against drug trafficking organizations in the area.
The reward was unveiled on the same day authorities revealed a new indictment against one of the brothers, Rene Arzate Garcia, 42, also known as "La Rana" ("The Frog"). Initially charged with drug offenses in San Diego, the superseding indictment adds serious allegations, including conspiracy, narcoterrorism, and providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The State Department has offered a reward of $5 million each for information leading to the capture of Rene Arzate Garcia and his brother Alfonso Arzate Garcia, 52, known as "Aquiles" ("Achilles"). Currently, their locations are unknown, which adds urgency to the reward announcement as authorities seek to dismantle their influence on the cartel's operations.
The United States government describes the Arzate-Garcia brothers as pivotal figures in the Sinaloa cartel's command structure, controlling a vital trafficking route in Tijuana near the U.S. border. Their control over the Tijuana Plaza significantly strengthens the Sinaloa Cartel's position, enabling them to maintain supremacy over rival drug organizations, especially in a region known for having the busiest border crossing in the Western Hemisphere.
The dynamics of drug trafficking along California's border with Mexico have become increasingly complicated, characterized by a fierce rivalry between the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG). This conflict has escalated tensions and violence as both organizations vie for control over lucrative drug trafficking routes.
The timing of the reward announcement is especially significant, as it comes just four days after the Mexican military reported the death of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, commonly known as "El Mencho." His death represents a considerable loss for the CJNG, which had emerged as one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels. This high-profile elimination aids the Mexican government's efforts to demonstrate progress to the Trump administration regarding its initiative to combat cartel activities.
As the fight against drug cartels continues, the U.S. State Department is emphasizing the importance of cracking down on these criminal organizations that threaten public safety and stability. The Arzate-Garcia brothers' significant influence in the Sinaloa cartel represents both a challenge and a target for law enforcement agencies aiming to disrupt the drug trade and its associated violence in the region.
