Security Forces Arrest Alleged CJNG Leader
Security forces in Mexico have apprehended an alleged leader of a notorious cartel, accused by the U.S. of drug trafficking and a large-scale fuel smuggling operation. The arrest took place on Monday in Zapopan, Jalisco state, as announced by security minister Omar Garcia Harfuch.
Ivan Cazarin Molina, also known as “El Tanque” (“The Tank”), is believed to be a regional leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Molina is linked to a massive fuel theft network, homicides, kidnappings, and drug trafficking. He reportedly participated in a 2015 attack on a Mexican Army helicopter in Jalisco, which resulted in the deaths of Army and Federal Police members.
Molina’s Capture and U.S. Treasury Sanctions
Harfuch shared images of Molina’s capture by National Guard members, showing him handcuffed and escorted. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Molina in September 2024, highlighting his involvement in CJNG activities alongside “El Mencho,” an infamous cartel leader later killed in a military operation.
Molina’s fuel theft activities reportedly generate tens of millions annually for him and CJNG. He manages a network of ostensibly legitimate retail gas stations selling stolen fuel. Additionally, he is accused of supplying stolen fuel to third parties in Mexico, which is then sold to the U.S. market, particularly in Texas.
Fuel Theft: A Lucrative Revenue Stream for Cartels
Fuel theft, commonly known as huachicol in Mexico, has become the second most profitable revenue stream for Mexican cartels, following drug trafficking. As per the U.S. Treasury, CJNG’s engagement in fuel theft and crude oil smuggling boosts its finances and capabilities, supporting a narco-terrorist enterprise.
“Fuel theft and crude oil smuggling are cash cows for CJNG’s narco-terrorist enterprise, providing a lucrative revenue stream for the group and enabling it to wreak havoc in Mexico and the United States,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent stated in 2025.
CJNG’s Designation and U.S. State Department Reward
CJNG is highly influential, regarded as one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal entities, and belongs to eight cartels designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. government. In August, the State Department announced a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of its new leader, Juan Carlos González, step-son of “El Mencho.”