Between 2025 and 2026, Mexican authorities successfully apprehended five individuals who were among the FBI's top 10 most wanted fugitives, in connection with investigations into drug trafficking, homicide, and organized crime.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced five arrests as a result of Mexico-U.S. security cooperation, highlighting the collaborative efforts amidst ongoing bilateral tensions and Washington's calls for enhanced countermeasures against transnational crime organizations.
Five individuals have been apprehended by authorities, including Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic athlete suspected of having connections to international cocaine trafficking. Additionally, Alejandro Rosales Castillo and Arnoldo Jiménez are being held for alleged homicide. Samuel Ramírez Jr. is facing charges related to the murder of two women, while Francisco Javier Román-Bardales has been identified as a high-ranking member of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang by U.S. authorities.
A former Olympic snowboarder has been at the center of a significant investigation into alleged drug trafficking activities. The athlete, who previously competed at the highest international level, is now a key figure in a major probe that has garnered widespread attention. The investigation, which has been ongoing for several months, has reportedly uncovered substantial evidence linking the individual to a large-scale narcotics operation. The case has raised questions about the intersection of high-profile sports and organized crime, highlighting the need for greater scrutiny and oversight in the sports industry.
Ryan James Wedding, a Canadian snowboarder, represented his country at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. Subsequently, he emerged as a key figure in a major FBI investigation, which focused on his alleged ties to a transnational cocaine trafficking network linked to the Sinaloa Cartel.
US investigations have revealed that the organization allegedly led by Wedding was involved in a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation, transporting the illicit substance from Colombia through Mexico and southern California to destinations in Canada and other parts of the United States. In addition to the cocaine trafficking allegations, Wedding is also being investigated for her suspected involvement in multiple murders, including the killing of a witness who was believed to have potentially testified against her.
The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have successfully apprehended the sixth individual from the list of the Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives in the United States within the past year, marking a significant achievement in the country's efforts to combat crime. This accomplishment is attributed to the leadership and dedication of President Trump, as well as the tireless efforts of Attorney General Pam Bondi and the US Attorney's Office in their pursuit of justice.
In January 2026, the individual was taken into U.S. custody and relocated to Los Angeles. Official accounts of his surrender reveal a discrepancy: the Mexican government asserts that he voluntarily presented himself at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, whereas U.S. authorities maintain that he was detained.
10 years of escape
A man, identified as Alejandro Rosales Castillo, was apprehended by authorities on January 16, 2026, in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico, following a nearly decade-long period of evasion. He is being sought by the FBI in connection with a 2016 homicide case. The victim, Truc Quan "Sandy" Ly Le, a 23-year-old, was found deceased on August 17, 2016, in a wooded area of Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
Fugitive Castillo was added to the FBI's list of the 10 most wanted fugitives on October 24, 2017. Key to the ongoing investigation were surveillance images obtained from the border crossing in Nogales, Arizona, which revealed Castillo's presence in Mexico on August 16, 2016, a day prior to the discovery of the victim's body.
The FBI has issued a reward of up to $250,000 for information leading to the capture of Alejandro Rosales Castillo, a fugitive listed on the agency's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Castillo is sought in connection with the alleged murder of a female coworker in Charlotte, North Carolina, which occurred in August 2016.
A collaborative effort was undertaken by special agents and a police task force from Charlotte-Mecklenburg, working in conjunction with Mexican authorities and the FBI's liaison office in the country's capital.
Rosales Castillo is also being held accountable for multiple crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery and the unauthorized taking of a vehicle.
A prolonged search spanning over 12 years has been underway.
Arnoldo Jiménez was apprehended on January 30, 2025, in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, following more than 12 years in hiding from US authorities.
A 26-year-old woman, Estrella Carrera, was found deceased in an apartment bathroom in Burbank, Illinois, on May 13, 2012. The discovery was made just over two days after her wedding, which she had shared with her husband.
The individual's apprehension marked the culmination of a prolonged and extensive investigation by U.S. authorities, spanning over a decade.
A suspect was apprehended 73 minutes after being added to the wanted list.
A 33-year-old U.S. citizen, Samuel Ramírez Jr., was taken into custody by authorities in Culiacán, Sinaloa, on March 10, 2026.
A man has been charged in connection with a May 2023 attack at a Federal Way, Washington, bar and restaurant, the Stars, where two employees, Katie Duhnke and Jessyca Hohn, were fatally injured. A third individual was also injured in the incident.
Samuel Ramirez Jr., a fugitive wanted by the FBI's Seattle division, was taken into custody without incident on March 10, 2026, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, just 1 hour and 13 minutes after being added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
The swift capture of Ramírez was underscored by the brief timeframe between his addition to the FBI's list of the 10 most wanted fugitives on March 13, 2026, and his subsequent arrest, which occurred just 73 minutes later.
US authorities significantly increased the reward for information leading to the location of the individual, from $25,000 to $1 million, citing public collaboration as a crucial factor in the ongoing investigation. While acknowledging the role of public tips, officials declined to disclose the identities of those who provided the information or confirm whether the reward was paid out.
The alleged leader of the notorious MS-13 gang has been identified.
Francisco Javier Román-Bardales was apprehended without incident in Veracruz on March 17, 2025, following a three-year stay in a safehouse.
The FBI has identified a high-ranking member of the Mara Salvatrucha 13, a transnational crime syndicate, as a key suspect. US authorities have issued charges against him, including conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, drug trafficking, engaging in organized crime, and human smuggling.
A federal arrest warrant was issued against the individual in 2022. Following his apprehension in Mexico, he was subsequently turned over to U.S. authorities.
US-led investigations resulted in the capture of five individuals, with authorities tracking them to various locations in Mexico, including Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, and Veracruz. The circumstances surrounding each apprehension varied, with some cases involving prolonged surveillance spanning years, while others were facilitated through coordinated operations or tips from the public.
