**El Chapo Isidro Now One of FBI’s Most Wanted**
On February 4, 2025, the FBI publicly announced the inclusion of Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, also known as “El Chapo Isidro,” in its list of most wanted criminals. The 42-year-old is alleged to be connected with the Beltrán Leyva Cartel and is presumed to be leading the criminal group “Los Mazatlecos.”
Meza Flores is wanted by U.S. authorities on charges that include conspiracy to produce and distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana with plans to import these substances into the United States. He is also accused of using and possessing firearms in connection with these offenses.
The U.S. Department of State is offering up to $5 million for information leading to the capture or conviction of Meza Flores, who is believed to reside in Mexico. The FBI warns the public that Meza Flores is the suspected leader of the Meza Flores transnational criminal organization, heavily involved in narcotics trafficking and armed operations, predominantly based in Sinaloa.
The group’s alleged activities include the possession, distribution, and importation of large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana into the U.S. Since May 2012, Meza Flores has faced federal indictment in the District of Columbia on various drug trafficking charges, and in November 2019, a federal arrest warrant was issued.
The FBI stresses that Meza Flores should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI through multiple communication channels, including a toll-free number and online tips platform.
In a historical context, in January 2013, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) froze Meza Flores’s assets along with those of his family members and associated companies connected to his criminal network.
Born in Bamoa, Sinaloa, in 1982, Meza Flores was initially part of the Sinaloa Cartel before aligning with the Beltrán Leyva Cartel, eventually becoming a significant rival to “El Chapo” Guzmán and “El Mayo” Zambada. Despite various operations by Mexican authorities to capture him, Meza Flores has remained at large.
**Related Developments: Increasing Efforts Against Major Cartel Figures**
In parallel news, law enforcement agencies continue to intensify efforts against cartel figures across the region. Recent operations have focused on dismantling major drug trafficking networks responsible for violence and illegal narcotics flow into the United States. High-level cartel operations remain a priority for international law enforcement collaboration to curb drug-related crime and secure border regions.
The inclusion of more cartel leaders in international wanted lists signifies heightened cooperation between the United States and Mexico, which aims to bring notorious criminal figures to justice and disrupt their operations. As these efforts persist, continued public awareness and community cooperation are pivotal in achieving significant breakthroughs in these complex investigations.