U.S. Offers $10 Million for Capture of Sinaloa Cartel Leaders in Tijuana

The State Department seeks information on two brothers identified as key figures in the cartel's operations at the U.S. border.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The U.S. State Department has offered up to $10 million in rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two brothers, Rene Arzate Garcia and Alfonso Arzate Garcia, who are identified as leaders of the Sinaloa cartel in Baja California, including the city of Tijuana. The brothers are accused of controlling a critical drug trafficking route at the U.S. border, giving the Sinaloa cartel a strategic advantage over rival organizations.

Why it matters

The U.S.-Mexico border region, particularly in California, has been a battleground between the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels. The capture of these alleged Sinaloa cartel leaders could disrupt the cartel's operations and influence at a key trafficking point on the border, potentially impacting the flow of drugs and other illicit goods into the United States.

The details

The reward offer came the same day that authorities announced a new indictment against Rene Arzate Garcia, 42, known as 'La Rana' ('The Frog'). He was initially charged with drug crimes in San Diego, and the superseding indictment includes charges of conspiracy, narcoterrorism and material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The U.S. is offering $5 million each for information on Rene Arzate Garcia and Alfonso Arzate Garcia, 52, known as 'Aquiles' ('Achilles'). Their whereabouts are unknown.

  • The reward offer was announced on February 27, 2026.

The players

Rene Arzate Garcia

A 42-year-old man known as 'La Rana' ('The Frog'), who is identified as a leader of the Sinaloa cartel in Baja California.

Alfonso Arzate Garcia

A 52-year-old man known as 'Aquiles' ('Achilles'), who is identified as a leader of the Sinaloa cartel in Baja California.

Sinaloa Cartel

A major Mexican drug trafficking organization based in the state of Sinaloa.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on whether to allow Rene Arzate Garcia, who was initially charged with drug crimes in San Diego, to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This reward offer highlights the ongoing efforts by U.S. and Mexican authorities to disrupt the operations of powerful drug cartels, particularly those controlling key trafficking routes along the border. The capture of the Arzate-Garcia brothers could significantly impact the Sinaloa cartel's control over the lucrative Tijuana drug trade.