Security Forces Capture Alleged Cartel Leader “El Tanque”

Security forces in Mexico have apprehended an alleged leader of a notorious cartel, Ivan Cazarin Molina, known as “El Tanque.” The U.S. accuses him of drug trafficking and operating a large-scale fuel smuggling network, authorities reported on Tuesday.

Capture in Jalisco

Molina was captured on Monday in Zapopan, Jalisco, according to security minister Omar Garcia Harfuch. Mexican authorities claim Molina, believed to be the regional leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), runs a significant fuel theft operation. He’s also linked to homicides, kidnappings, and drug trafficking. Molina is accused of involvement in the 2015 attack on a Mexican Army helicopter in Jalisco, resulting in the deaths of army and federal police members.

El Tanque’s fuel theft generates tens of millions of dollars annually for himself and CJNG.

U.S. Sanctions and Allegations

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Molina in September 2024, considering him part of the inner circle of “El Mencho,” the infamous leader of the Jalisco cartel who later died in a military operation. Although Molina is deeply involved in fuel theft, he also engages in drug trafficking, extortion, and homicide.

Molina allegedly manages a network of seemingly legitimate retail gas stations selling stolen fuel. He reportedly sells this fuel to third parties in Mexico, who then supply it to the U.S. market, with Texas being a frequent destination.

Fuel Theft: A Lucrative Revenue Stream

Fuel theft, known as huachicol in Mexico, ranks as the second most profitable activity for Mexican cartels after drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Treasury. Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury in 2025, stated that CJNG’s involvement in fuel theft and crude oil smuggling is a significant source of income, facilitating their activities in Mexico and the U.S.

CJNG’s Influence and Recognition

CJNG, recognized as one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations, is among eight cartels officially designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. government. In August, the State Department announced a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of its new leader, Juan Carlos González, who is the California-born stepson of “El Mencho.”