Federal authorities have charged Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga, an alleged leader of the La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LNFM) criminal organization, which is believed to be operating out of Mexico. Photo courtesy of U.S. State Department/Release
On April 15, the United States unveiled charges and sanctions against the La Nueva Familia Michoacana, a notorious Mexican drug cartel. This is part of the ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to target drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
The punitive measures were applied to LNFM, one of eight Mexican drug cartels designated as specially designated global terrorists by the State Department on February 20.
Operating out of the Pacific coast state of Michoacan, LNFM is infamous for smuggling fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine into the United States. The cartel produces synthetic opioids in Mexico and transports them across the border via buses. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), LNFM is responsible for trafficking over 36 metric tons of methamphetamine, 12 metric tons of heroin, and 12 metric tons of cocaine annually into the U.S.
Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga, born in the early to mid-1970s, and his 40-year-old brother, Jose Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga, have been accused of co-leading LNFM. They were indicted in September 2024, but the court documents were only unsealed recently. Federal prosecutors revealed that the brothers face multiple drug-related conspiracy charges. Both are believed to be residing in Mexico.
The U.S. Treasury also announced sanctions against the brothers on Tuesday. The State Department issued rewards for information, offering up to $3 million for Jose and $5 million for Johnny.
Additionally, Ubaldo Hurtado Olascoaga, 49, and Adita Hurtado Olascoaga, 49—siblings of Johnny and Jose—were hit with sanctions, freezing their assets and barring U.S. individuals from doing business with them. According to Treasury officials, Ubaldo is a senior leader in LNFM involved in extortion and narcotics trafficking, while Adita laundered drug proceeds through used clothing stores.
“Today’s indictments and OFAC sanctions against high-ranking LNFM cartel members send a clear message: If you contribute to the death of Americans by peddling poison into our communities, we will work relentlessly to find you and bring you to justice,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.
LNFM had already been targeted with sanctions and law enforcement actions under the previous Biden administration, which sanctioned Jose and Johnny in November 2022 and eight other high-ranking members in June 2024, following the indictment of two additional leaders.
The Justice Department’s investigation into the gang dates back to 2021, and the Trump administration asserts that this case is part of its Operation Take Back America initiative. Launched in March, the operation unites resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and the Project Safe Neighborhood Program to address illegal immigration and combat drug cartels.
According to the Justice Department, more than 900 immigration-related charges have been filed in southwestern border districts under Operation Take Back America.
