CJNG commanders and money launderer face U.S. federal charges

A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia has indicted brothers Ramón and Rafael Álvarez Ayala, known as ‘R1’ and ‘R2’, for their roles as regional commanders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in Michoacán. The charges involve a nearly two-decade conspiracy, spanning from 2004 to 2023, to manufacture and distribute cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States. The indictment also includes firearms offenses, specifically the use and discharge of weapons, including a machine gun. If convicted, the brothers face a mandatory minimum of 40 years in prison and a maximum of two consecutive life sentences.

Separately, Christopher A. Bravo Marín, a 46-year-old Mexican national residing in Minneapolis, has been charged with laundering at least $750,000 for the CJNG. Prosecutors allege that between February 2023 and February 2026, Bravo Marín used his position at a Minnesota money-transfer business to evade anti-money laundering controls. He reportedly fragmented large sums into multiple transfers of less than $1,000 to avoid identity verification requirements, using fictitious names to facilitate the movement of drug proceeds to Mexico. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.