# Mexican authorities targeting CJNG leadership > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mexican-authorities-targeting-cjng-leadership > Updated: 2026-10-22T14:33:41.000Z. Sources: 44. Developments: 5. Mexican federal authorities have conducted high-profile arrests targeting leaders linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). In early October, Iván Cazarín Molina, known as ‘El Tanque’, was placed in pretrial detention following his arrest in Zapopan, Jalisco. A federal judge ordered his transfer to the Altiplano federal prison. The Federal Prosecutor's Office charged Molina with organized crime, health crimes, and illegal possession of firearms. Authorities identified him as a key figure managing operations in Veracruz, Oaxaca, Tabasco, and Puebla, with alleged links to fuel theft and money laundering. By mid-October, authorities arrested Iván Sánchez Santiago, alias ‘El Cromo’, a leader of the ‘Los Cromos’ cell associated with the CJNG. The operation in Guadalajara involved the Secretariat of the Navy and the National Intelligence Center. Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch reported that Sánchez Santiago faces three arrest warrants for homicide, including two cases involving three victims. The organization is also under investigation for its potential involvement in the murder of a four-year-old girl in Juchitán. Sánchez Santiago, also referred to as ‘Comandante Cromo’, has been transferred to the Altiplano maximum-security prison facing charges related to health crimes and illegal possession of firearms. Additionally, the Oaxaca State Attorney General's Office confirmed the arrest of two individuals, identified as E. B. P. (‘Bolán’) and G. C. L., following an armed attack on the home of textile designer Elvis Guerra. On October 22, legal proceedings against these leaders expanded. A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia formally indicted Cazarín Molina on charges including conspiracy to traffic cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States and possession of a firearm to facilitate drug trafficking. If convicted, he faces a minimum of 40 years in prison and up to two consecutive life sentences. ## Claims - Iván N, alias ‘El Cromo’, was detained in Guadalajara, Jalisco. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The criminal group ‘Los Cromos’ is linked to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). (corroborated by 13 sources) - Iván N has three arrest warrants for homicide, including two documented ones related to three victims. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The criminal group ‘Los Cromos’ is being investigated for the alleged murder of a four-year-old girl in Juchitán. (corroborated by 11 sources) - A reward of up to two million pesos was offered for information leading to the capture of Iván N. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The arrest follows the September 23 detention of Miguel Sánchez Altamirano, the former municipal president of Juchitán de Zaragoza. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Two members of the 'Los Cromos' criminal group were arrested for extortion and an armed attack on the home of Elvis Guerra. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The 'Los Cromos' gang specializes in extortion and 'cobro de piso' in the Juchitán de Zaragoza municipality. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-22: CJNG leaders face legal action in US and Mexico CJNG-linked leaders Iván Cazarín Molina (“El Tanque”) and Iván Sánchez Santiago (“Comandante Cromo”) face serious criminal charges in the US and Mexico, respectively. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ivn-snchez-santiago-linked-to-criminal-process-in-oaxaca ### 2026-10-19: Oaxaca authorities arrest leader of ‘Los Cromos’ criminal group Oaxacan authorities arrested Iván Sánchez Santiago, alias ‘El Cromo’, a leader of the ‘Los Cromos’ criminal group linked to the CJNG in the Istmo de Tehuantepec region. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oaxaca-authorities-arrest-leader-of-los-cromos-criminal-group ### 2026-10-16: Los Cromos criminal group members arrested in Mexico Mexican authorities have arrested several members of the 'Los Cromos' criminal group, including leader Iván Sánchez Santiago and two suspects involved in an extortion attack against designer Elvis Guerra. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oaxaca-authorities-arrest-two-los-cromos-members-for-attack-on-designer ### 2026-10-14: Iván Sánchez Santiago, leader of ‘Los Cromos’, arrested in Jalisco Iván Sánchez Santiago, alias ‘El Cromo’, a leader of the CJNG-linked ‘Los Cromos’ group, was arrested in Guadalajara. He faces multiple homicide warrants and links to violence in Oaxaca. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-authorities-arrest-criminal-leader-el-cromo-in-jalisco ### 2026-10-07: Iván Cazarín Molina, CJNG regional leader, ordered into pretrial detention Mexican authorities have ordered pretrial detention for Iván Cazarín Molina, alias 'El Tanque', a regional CJNG leader, following his arrest in Zapopan. He faces charges of organized crime and drug offenses. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ivn-cazarn-molina-alleged-cjng-leader-arrested-in-zapopan --- Cite as: Mexican authorities targeting CJNG leadership. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mexican-authorities-targeting-cjng-leadership