US Sanctions Sinaloa Cartel Leaders

The designations target cartel leader Ismael Zambada Sicairos, known as “Mayito Flaco,” as well as Tijuana and Mexicali cell leaders, financial facilitators, and corrupt Mexican officials, the State Department said.

The action highlights the reach of cartel influence into Baja California, where associates of the governor’s ex‑husband and a former Mexicali public security director allegedly accepted bribes to shield operations from law enforcement.

The Department of State’s Narcotics Rewards Program is offering up to $5 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Tijuana plaza bosses Alfonso Arzate Garcia (“Aquiles”), Rene Arzate Garcia (“La Rana”), and Mexicali cartel leader Juan Jose Ponce Felix (“El Ruso”).

The sanctions were taken under Executive Order 14059, which targets illicit drug proliferation, and under Executive Order 13224 as amended by Executive Order 13886, which targets terrorists and their supporters.