Fernando de Jesús Ortiz Ávalos, known as "El Doctor", an alleged operative of the criminal group Los Viagras, was arrested in Apatzingán, Michoacán, during a federal law enforcement operation.
According to preliminary reports, Ortiz Ávalos was apprehended by agents of Mexico's Federal Ministerial Police in the community of Acahuato and was later transferred to the facilities of the Attorney General's Office (FGR) in Morelia.
"El Doctor" was wanted by U.S. authorities for his alleged involvement in international drug trafficking operations. The U.S. government had also offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest.
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Mexican authorities have not yet released details regarding a possible extradition process or the charges he may face in Mexico.
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U.S. Designates Los Viagras as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Wednesday that it had designated the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), expanding the economic sanctions and legal authorities available to target both criminal groups.
On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. government had officially designated the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
Rubio said that, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the administration will continue its efforts against drug trafficking organizations responsible for smuggling narcotics into the United States.
"We will never stop fighting the violent narco-terrorists flooding our nation with deadly drugs," Rubio said while announcing the designation of the two criminal organizations.
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