DOJ puts $25 million bounty on US-born cartel leader

Published August 5, 2026 4:49pm ET | Updated August 5, 2026 5:16pm ET



The Trump administration on Wednesday announced a $25 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the U.S.-born man believed to lead Mexico’s powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The State Department increased its previous $5 million reward for Juan Carlos Valencia González, known as “Pelón,” as part of a broader campaign targeting the cartel, commonly known as CJNG. The announcement coincided with the Justice Department unsealing indictments against five other high-ranking CJNG figures, including the former leader’s son-in-law and godson, on federal charges, including trafficking drugs such as fentanyl and cocaine.

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