MEXICO CITY —
The Mexican authorities have captured and extradited a high-ranking suspect from the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” list, drawing praise from FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday. The suspect, Francisco Javier Román Bardales, is believed to be a leading figure in the infamous Mara Salvatrucha or MS-13 gang.
Román Bardales was taken into custody on Monday amidst the rugged terrain of Veracruz’s Gulf coast. Soldiers and federal agents collaborated in this operation, marking a significant strike against gang-related crime. “This achievement signifies a crucial triumph for both our law enforcement allies and for the safety of the United States,” Patel remarked.
Mexico’s Security Chief, Omar García Harfuch, celebrated the arrest, attributing its success to the synergy of international collaboration. Officials termed the suspect’s transfer as a deportation to the U.S., suggesting a smooth inter-governmental effort.
Román Bardales faces serious accusations, including violent crime, drug trafficking, and extortion, primarily in New York’s Eastern District. His gang, also known as MS-13, was recently categorized by the U.S. government as one of eight Latin American criminal enterprises designated as foreign terrorist organizations.
In his Tuesday update, Kash Patel announced that Roman Bardales was en route within the United States, extending gratitude to the Mexican authorities for their crucial assistance.
This apprehension and immediate extradition occur shortly after Mexico’s extradition of 29 cartel members, including Rafael Caro Quintero, infamous for the 1985 murder of a U.S. DEA agent.
Further demonstrating a crackdown on drug trafficking, Mexico has intensified actions against the Sinaloa cartel, a significant pusher of fentanyl to the U.S.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has been keen to demonstrate to U.S. President Donald Trump that Mexico is a dependable partner in matters of security and immigration. These collaborative actions have thus far helped in averting the imposition of most of Trump’s proposed tariffs.
In a related security initiative over the weekend, the Trump administration deported two prominent MS-13 leaders back to El Salvador, along with several hundred Venezuelan immigrants.