Patel says MS-13 key senior leader on FBI most wanted list extradited to US
An alleged MS-13 senior gang leader on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list is being extradited to the U.S. after his arrest in Mexico, FBI Director Kash Patel announced Tuesday. Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales was apprehended on Monday in the mountains of the Gulf coast state of Veracruz by Mexican soldiers and federal agents. The FBI had offered a $250,000 reward for information leading to Bardales’ capture prior to his arrest.
In a statement released by Patel, he confirmed the successful extradition of Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales from Mexico to the United States. Bardales is believed to be a key senior leader of MS-13, a notorious and violent gang. Patel expressed gratitude to the Justice Department and other interagency partners for their collaboration in the extradition process, emphasizing that Bardales will now face American justice.
Bardales is currently in the custody of Mexican authorities and is facing charges in the Eastern District of New York related to numerous acts of violence against civilians and rival gang members, as well as drug distribution and extortion schemes in both the United States and El Salvador. MS-13 was recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration, highlighting the severity of the gang’s criminal activities.
This extradition follows the transfer of another drug cartel member, Jesus Ricardo Patron Sanchez, to the U.S. last month. Sanchez, a key figure in the H-2 cartel, is facing charges related to drug trafficking in New York City. The DEA has warned about the influx of fentanyl and methamphetamine across the border, with cartels like Sinaloa and Jalisco playing a significant role in fueling the drug crisis in the U.S.
Sanchez allegedly oversaw the transportation of various drugs, including cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine into the U.S. on a monthly basis. The H-2 cartel utilized distribution cells across the country to traffic substantial quantities of drugs, leading to a surge in drug-related crimes and violence in multiple cities.
The swift arrest and extradition of Bardales and Sanchez underscore the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat transnational criminal organizations and dismantle their operations. Mexico has cooperated in extraditing numerous cartel members, including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing security and combating drug trafficking.
With the Trump administration’s focus on addressing the drug crisis and securing the border, partnerships with countries like Mexico are crucial in disrupting the flow of illegal drugs and preventing further violence. The extradition of MS-13 leaders and cartel members signifies a significant step towards ensuring the safety and security of communities affected by organized crime.
