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21h ago

U.S. Sanctions Sinaloa’s La Mayiza Faction, Offers $5 Million for ‘El Ruso’ After New Indictment

The move extends a multi‑agency crackdown on Sinaloa networks following a late‑August enforcement surge.

A bronze seal for the Department of the Treasury is shown at the U.S. Treasury building in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
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Overview

  • The State Department sanctioned the La Mayiza faction and highlighted Juan José Ponce Félix, known as El Ruso, days after unsealing a superseding indictment and announcing a reward of up to $5 million for tips leading to his arrest or conviction.
  • Federal authorities describe Ponce Félix as the founder and leader of Los Rusos, which controls the Mexicali corridor as part of the Sinaloa Cartel’s network loyal to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
  • Investigators allege his organization traffics fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin into the United States and channels drug proceeds back to Mexico.
  • U.S. statements also accuse him of firearms trafficking, paying more than $1 million per month in bribes to Mexican officials, and using kidnapping, torture, and murder to maintain control.
  • An FBI notice says he was first indicted in 2015 and is believed to be in the Mexicali or Culiacán areas, while officials link ongoing violence to a split between Los Rusos and the Chapitos and note a recent DEA surge that produced 617 arrests.