WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has indicted two alleged senior members of Mexico’s United Cartels on charges involving large-scale methamphetamine trafficking, providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and firearms offenses, officials stated Thursday.
The indictment names:
- Juan Jose “Juanjo” Farias Mendoza, 31
- Israel “Papo” Vega Farias, 37
Both are from Tepalcatepec, Michoacán, Mexico, and are close relatives of alleged cartel leader Juan Jose Farias Alvarez, also known as “Abuelo.” Authorities identified Farias Mendoza as Abuelo’s son and Vega Farias as his nephew.
Federal prosecutors allege the defendants helped oversee methamphetamine production and trafficking operations that supplied drugs to the United States.
According to the Justice Department, the United Cartels (Cárteles Unidos) operates one of the world’s largest methamphetamine production networks, capable of manufacturing multiple tons monthly. Authorities say the cartel distributes narcotics through hubs in:
- Dallas
- Houston
- Atlanta
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Sacramento, California
- Los Angeles
- Denver
- Chicago
The organization also operates in Europe, Australia and other international markets.
The U.S. State Department designated the United Cartels as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organization on Feb. 20, 2025.
Both defendants are charged with:
- Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine for importation into the United States
- Providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization
- Using, carrying and possessing firearms, including machine guns and destructive devices, during a drug trafficking crime
Quick Facts
- Defendants: Juan Jose “Juanjo” Farias Mendoza, 31, and Israel “Papo” Vega Farias, 37
- Hometown: Tepalcatepec, Michoacán, Mexico
- Alleged cartel: United Cartels (Cárteles Unidos)
- Relationship: Son and nephew of alleged cartel leader Juan Jose “Abuelo” Farias Alvarez
- Charges: Meth trafficking conspiracy, material support to terrorism, firearms offenses
- Potential sentence: Life in prison
- Investigation: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- Indictment: Returned by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.