José Ángel Rivera Zazueta, alias 'Don Flaco', arrested in Mexico City

José Ángel Rivera Zazueta Don Flaco Sinaloa Cartel chemical precursors extradition

Mexican authorities, in coordination with the FBI and DEA, have arrested José Ángel Rivera Zazueta, known as 'Don Flaco,' in Mexico City. Rivera Zazueta is identified as a high-priority target and a key financial operator for the Sinaloa Cartel.

Investigations indicate he coordinated the international trafficking of chemical precursors from China to Mexico and the United States, substances used to manufacture synthetic drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine. He is alleged to have managed logistics from Asia and controlled operations at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM).

The arrest was conducted under a provisional detention order to facilitate his extradition to the United States. Rivera Zazueta had previously been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2023 due to his involvement in global drug trafficking networks.

Entities

DEA · Drug Enforcement Administration · FBI · Federal Bureau of Investigation · José Ángel Rivera Zazueta · José Ángel “N” · Mexico City · OFAC · Omar García Harfuch · Sinaloa Cartel

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The arrest was made to fulfill a provisional detention order for extradition to the United States. carlosmartinhuerta.com.mx · massinformacion.com.mx · www.sdpnoticias.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Rivera Zazueta managed the acquisition of chemical precursors from Chinese companies while residing in Taiwan. www.epochtimes.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Rivera Zazueta allegedly controlled operations at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) for the Sinaloa Cartel. massinformacion.com.mx
[● 4 SOURCES] José Ángel Rivera Zazueta, known as 'Don Flaco', was arrested in the Cuauhtémoc borough of Mexico City. carlosmartinhuerta.com.mx · massinformacion.com.mx · www.epochtimes.com · www.sdpnoticias.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had previously sanctioned Rivera Zazueta in January 2023. carlosmartinhuerta.com.mx · www.epochtimes.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The DEA identified Rivera Zazueta as one of its highest priority targets. carlosmartinhuerta.com.mx · www.epochtimes.com · www.sdpnoticias.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson highlighted the successful cooperation between Mexico and the United States in the arrest. www.sdpnoticias.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Rivera Zazueta is identified as a key coordinator and financial operator for the illicit import of chemical precursors from China to Mexico and the United States. carlosmartinhuerta.com.mx · massinformacion.com.mx · www.epochtimes.com · www.sdpnoticias.com