Suspected Sinaloa Cartel Financier Arrested in Mexico City

Mexican police arrested a suspected drug trafficker in Mexico City on Tuesday. The suspect is José Ángel Rivera Zazueta. He is known by the alias "Don Flaco."

Authorities say he worked for the Sinaloa Cartel. He allegedly helped move chemicals used to make fentanyl. The arrest happened in the Cuauhtémoc district.

Joint operation led to capture

The arrest followed shared intelligence between Mexico and the U.S. The Attorney General’s Office led the investigation. The Security Ministry also took part in the action.

Rivera Zazueta was born in Culiacán in 1987. U.S. officials designated him in 2023. They listed him as a key fentanyl trafficker.

He reportedly coordinated the transport of chemical precursors. These ingredients are used to make synthetic drugs. The network moved goods from China to the Americas.

Alleged role in airport logistics

Journalist Anabel Hernández wrote about his role in 2024. She claimed he controlled Mexico City International Airport. He allegedly bribed officials to allow shipments through.

The U.S. Treasury Department says the group operated globally. Activities spanned North and South America. They also included Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Extraction process begins now

Rivera Zazueta is currently held under a provisional arrest warrant. This allows for his potential transfer to the U.S. The legal process for extradition is now underway.

Mexico News Daily reported that cooperation between the two countries is increasing. This collaboration aims to dismantle cross-border criminal organizations. The next step involves formal extradition hearings.