US Offers $10 Million Reward for Capture of Sinaloa Cartel Leaders in Tijuana

The State Department is seeking information on two brothers identified as key figures in the cartel's operations at the US-Mexico border.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The U.S. State Department has announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrests or convictions of two brothers, Rene Arzate Garcia and Alfonso Arzate Garcia, who are identified as leaders of the Sinaloa cartel's operations in Tijuana, Mexico. 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 the Tijuana area, has been a hotspot for violent clashes between rival drug cartels vying for control of lucrative smuggling routes. The Sinaloa cartel, once led by the infamous Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, remains one of the most powerful and dangerous criminal organizations in the region, and the Arzate-Garcia brothers are believed to be key figures in the cartel's operations.

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 currently unknown.

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

The players

Rene Arzate Garcia

Also known as 'La Rana' ('The Frog'), he is a 42-year-old leader of the Sinaloa cartel's operations in Tijuana, Mexico.

Alfonso Arzate Garcia

Also known as 'Aquiles' ('Achilles'), he is a 52-year-old leader of the Sinaloa cartel's operations in Tijuana, Mexico.

Sinaloa Cartel

One of the most powerful and dangerous criminal organizations in Mexico, with a stronghold in the Tijuana region along the U.S. border.

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What’s next

The U.S. government is actively seeking information from the public that could lead to the capture of the Arzate-Garcia brothers, who are believed to be hiding in Mexico.

The takeaway

This reward offer highlights the ongoing efforts by U.S. and Mexican authorities to disrupt the operations of the Sinaloa cartel, which continues to be a major threat to public safety and security along the border region. The control of lucrative drug trafficking routes in Tijuana is a key strategic priority for the cartel, making the Arzate-Garcia brothers high-value targets for law enforcement.