The U.S. government filed new charges this week against eight top leaders of one of Mexico's most violent cartels. Federal agents are now offering up to $102 million in rewards for tips that lead to their capture.

The charges target the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion, known as CJNG. The Department of Justice, the DEA, and the FBI announced the charges on August 5, 2026.

The U.S. named CJNG a foreign terrorist organization back in February 2025. This new round of charges adds fraud and terror support counts on top of drug charges. Some of the money came from timeshare scams that hit regular Americans, including people who bought vacation property in Mexico. For South Texas families, the fight against CJNG hits close to home. The cartel's drugs move north through the border region every day. Customs and Border Protection is one of the agencies working the case.

The man at the top of the new charge sheet is Juan Carlos Valencia Gonzalez. His street name is "Pelon." He is 41 years old. He is the stepson of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," the cartel's longtime leader. El Mencho died in a Mexican military raid in February 2026. Valencia Gonzalez took over after that. The reward for him alone is $25 million.

Seven more leaders face charges too. Audias Flores Silva, known as "Jardinero," carries a $15 million reward. He was already arrested in Mexico back in April 2026, and a new indictment against him was unsealed in May. Hugo Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytan, called "Sapo," is El Mencho's godson. He also carries a $15 million reward. That matches Julio Alberto Castillo Rodriguez, known as "Chorro." Castillo Rodriguez was once married to El Mencho's daughter.

Three more leaders each carry a $10 million reward. They are Julio Cesar Montero Pinzon ("Tarjetas"), Carlos Andres Rivera Varela ("La Firma"), and Ricardo Ruiz Velasco ("RR" or "Tripa"). The last fugitive, Griselda Margarita Arredondo Pinzon, is Montero Pinzon's half sister. Her reward is $2 million.

Court papers filed in Washington, D.C. charge the group with running drugs into the U.S., including cocaine, meth, heroin, and fentanyl. The papers also list gun charges, including machineguns and destructive devices. If convicted, some of the leaders face two life sentences back to back.

A second set of charges came out of federal court in New York. Prosecutors say three leaders ran wire fraud and money laundering schemes. Those three are Arredondo Pinzon, Montero Pinzon, and Rivera Varela. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said thousands of Americans lost hundreds of millions of dollars total in timeshare scams tied to Mexico. Those charges also include giving material support to a terrorist group, since CJNG holds that designation. Each fraud count can carry up to 20 years in prison.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the charges send a clear message. "The American people gave us a mandate to keep this country safe, and we will not rest until it is fulfilled," he said. DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said Valencia Gonzalez is one of the agency's most wanted fugitives. FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau plans to "systematically dismantle every piece" of the cartel.

CJNG grew fast over the last decade to become one of the most powerful and violent cartels in Mexico. The group is known for fentanyl and meth that end up on U.S. streets, including in Texas. The Trump administration named CJNG a foreign terrorist organization in February 2025. That label opens the door to new charges, like material support for terrorism, not just drug counts.

All eight leaders named this week are still wanted, except Flores Silva, who sits in Mexican custody. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's office also pulled visas from 26 people tied to the cartel. It put visa sanctions on 65 more people. The DEA, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, and CBP are all working the case. They are part of one task force. Anyone with tips on the wanted leaders can report them through the Rewards for Justice program.