Member of Mexican Drug Cartel Sentenced to 20 Years

Alejandro Salinas played a leadership role in a Tijuana-based drug trafficking organization that smuggled fentanyl and meth into the U.S.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A 48-year-old man named Alejandro Salinas has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a Mexican drug trafficking organization that operated a 24/7 convenience store in Tijuana to sell and smuggle fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances into the United States. Salinas had a leadership position in the organization, which was known as "The Office," from 2020 to 2022 and was responsible for coordinating drug sales and distribution to runners who would bring the drugs across the border.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of combating international drug trafficking organizations that are smuggling highly potent and deadly drugs like fentanyl into the United States. The dismantling of "The Office" convenience store operation is a significant disruption to the cartel's supply chain, but the broader issue of Mexican cartels fueling the opioid crisis in the U.S. remains an urgent public health and public safety concern.

The details

Prosecutors say the now-shuttered Tijuana storefront operated around the clock for at least 5 years, moving hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl and other drugs into the U.S. Salinas' role included manning the sales desk at the store and communicating with San Diego-based drug dealers to facilitate orders and smuggling. Salinas and other members of the cartel were indicted in 2023, and the store was seized and closed by Mexican authorities in January 2024. Salinas later pleaded guilty to participating in an international conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and meth.

  • Salinas had a leadership role in the organization from about 2020 to 2022.
  • Salinas and other cartel members were indicted in 2023.
  • The Tijuana store was seized and closed by Mexican authorities in January 2024.

The players

Alejandro Salinas

A 48-year-old man from Tijuana who had a leadership role in the drug trafficking organization known as "The Office" from 2020 to 2022.

Juan Carlos Alonso Reyes

Salinas' cousin, who was among a group of 37 alleged cartel members sent by Mexican authorities to the United States last month and is facing criminal charges in San Diego.

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What’s next

The Department of Justice said that Salinas' cousin, Juan Carlos Alonso Reyes, is among a group of 37 alleged cartel members sent by Mexican authorities to the United States last month, and four of those defendants, including Alonso Reyes, are facing criminal cases in San Diego.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle against international drug trafficking organizations that are fueling the opioid crisis in the United States by smuggling highly potent and deadly drugs like fentanyl across the border. The dismantling of this specific cartel operation is a significant disruption, but the broader challenge of combating Mexican cartels remains an urgent public health and public safety concern.