Fernando de Jesús Ortiz Ávalos, alias “El Doctor”, identified as an operator of the Los Viagras criminal group, was arrested by elements of the Federal Ministerial Police in the municipality of Apatzingán, Michoacán.

At the time of his arrest, the authorities seized a long weapon, a magazine supplied with useful cartridges and several packages of methamphetamine, for which he was placed at the disposal of the Federal Public Ministry.

According to US authorities, Ortiz Ávalos is wanted by a US District Court for crimes related to international drug trafficking.

In addition, the government of that country offered a reward of up to five million dollars for information leading to his capture.

The nickname “The Doctor” is due to the fact that he studied as a general practitioner, although he would later have been identified as a relevant member of the structure of Los Viagras, a criminal organization with a presence mainly in the Tierra Caliente region, in Michoacán.

Investigations place him as an operator close to the leadership headed by the Sierra Santana brothers, historical leaders of the group.

The arrest came one day before the US government announced the designation of Los Viagras and the Juárez Cartel as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists, a move that toughens financial and legal sanctions against both criminal groups.

So far, Mexican authorities have not reported whether the detainee will face an extradition process to the United States, where he is wanted on charges related to drug trafficking.