Mexican authorities arrested in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, the American citizen Janero Van de Mario Garrett, officially identified as Janero Van “N”, who was wanted by the United States government for alleged drug trafficking crimes and whom investigations link to the Los Chapitos faction, belonging to the Sinaloa Cartel.

The arrest was the result of a joint operation led by Mexican federal forces in coordination with US agencies, in a new example of bilateral cooperation in combating drug trafficking and pursuing objectives considered of high interest to both countries.

The Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Mexico, Omar García Harfuch, reported that the detainee is wanted by authorities in the state of Michigan for crimes related to drug trafficking and that investigations place him as an alleged member of the Los Chapitos criminal structure.

The capture was carried out by elements of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), the Attorney General's Office (FGR) and the National Migration Institute (INM), with the support of information provided by the Drug Control Administration (DEA) and the United States Marshals Service.

Coordinated operation in Mazatlán allowed his capture

According to the Security Cabinet, the location of the suspect was possible after the exchange of information between authorities from both countries and intelligence work carried out in the Tellería neighborhood, in the municipality of Mazatlán.

Authorities implemented surveillance tours after learning of the existence of an active arrest warrant issued in Michigan. Once identified, federal agents carried out the operation to arrest him without any clashes being reported.

After his capture, Janero Van “N” was informed of his rights and transferred to the facilities of the National Immigration Institute, where the corresponding procedures will begin for his deportation to the United States, a country that requests his surrender to face charges for drug trafficking.

US authorities also consider it one of the priority objectives of investigations related to drug trafficking between Mexico and the United States.

The capture occurs amid pressure against the Sinaloa Cartel

Official investigations indicate that the detainee had alleged links with Los Chapitos, a group led by the children of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, one of the main factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, an organization designated by the US government as a foreign terrorist group. Since 2024, Los Chapitos have had an internal dispute with the Los Mayos faction, a conflict that has caused an increase in violence in Sinaloa and has led the Mexican government to reinforce the deployment of federal forces in the entity.

The arrest also occurs at a time of close cooperation between Mexico and the United States on security matters, although bilateral relations have faced episodes of tension due to criticism from US officials about the fight against drug trafficking.

In a statement, the Security Cabinet highlighted that this type of operations reflect the coordination between both governments under the principles of respect for sovereignty, shared responsibility, mutual trust and institutional cooperation to locate and detain people required by international justice.

The case will now continue with the corresponding immigration and judicial process so that the American citizen can be handed over to the authorities of his country, where he faces charges for alleged drug trafficking in Michigan.