Zetas Cartel Founder Indicted

“Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, ex-leader of Los Zetas, faces drug and crime charges. US and Mexico step up joint efforts against spreading cartel influence, focusing on drug network disruptions.”

**Founder of Los ZETAS Indicted**

Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, the former leader of the notorious criminal groups Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel, has been formally charged for his alleged involvement in drug-related offenses. The Attorney General’s Office (FGR), alongside the Specialized Attorney for Organized Crime (FEMDO) and the State of Mexico’s Regional Control Prosecutor (FECOR), announced that Cárdenas Guillén will stand trial for potential drug trafficking and organized crime activities.

Investigations reveal that Cárdenas Guillén headed a criminal operation spanning various regions of Mexico, including the port city of Lázaro Cárdenas in Michoacán, as well as Guerrero, Tamaulipas, and beyond Mexican borders. Authorities accuse him of forging alliances with other criminal organizations to facilitate drug trafficking through these regions.

The Fourth District Court in Penal Matters, based in Toluca, Mexico State, has issued a formal arrest warrant against Cárdenas Guillén. He has been moved to the Federal Social Readaptation Center No. 1 “Altiplano” in Almoloya de Juárez. In addition to drug charges, Cárdenas Guillén faces accusations of murder, including the killings of two women related to a protected witness.

**Related News**

**Growing Network of Mexican Cartels in the U.S.**

Recent reports indicate a concerning uptick in the involvement of Mexican drug cartels within the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has highlighted that powerful cartels, notably the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartel, have established significant distribution networks across several U.S. cities. These operations primarily focus on the trafficking of fentanyl and methamphetamine, leading to a rise in drug-related fatalities.

**U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Cartel Influence**

In response to the escalating threat posed by these cartels, the U.S. government has intensified cooperation with Mexican authorities to dismantle drug networks. Enhanced border security measures, along with targeted operations against cartel leaders, form part of a broader strategy to curb the spread of illicit drugs and weaken organized crime influence both regionally and internationally.

This collaborative effort underscores the ongoing challenge of combating transnational organized crime and highlights the necessity for continued vigilance and cooperation between the two nations.