Mexican Authorities Capture Suspected Cartel Chief "The Tank

WHO:

Fox News - Iván Cazarín Molina, known as "The Tank"

CBS News - Omar Garcia Harfuch, security minister of Mexico

CBS News - Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)

CBS News - "El Mencho," the infamous Jalisco cartel leader

WHAT:

Fox News - Iván Cazarín Molina was arrested in Zapopan.

CBS News - Molina is accused of drug trafficking and a large-scale fuel smuggling operation.

CBS News - Molina is linked to homicides, kidnappings, and drug trafficking.

CBS News - The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Molina in September 2024.

CBS News - Molina's fuel theft generates tens of millions of dollars per year for himself and CJNG.

CBS News - The U.S. State Department offered a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of CJNG's new leader, Juan Carlos González.

WHERE:

Fox News - Zapopan, Jalisco state, Mexico

CBS News - Molina is accused of selling stolen fuel to third parties in Mexico, who then sell it to the U.S. market, often in Texas.

WHEN:

CBS News - Molina was captured on a Monday.

CBS News - The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Molina in September 2024.

CBS News - The attack on a Mexican Army helicopter in Jalisco occurred in 2015.

WHY:

CBS News - Molina is primarily involved in fuel theft, which is a lucrative revenue stream for CJNG.

CBS News - Fuel theft has risen to the second most profitable revenue stream for Mexican cartels behind drug trafficking.

HOW:

CBS News - Molina manages a network of ostensibly legitimate retail gas stations where he sells stolen fuel.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 19:08 UTC)

Iván Cazarín Molina, known as "The Tank," was arrested in Zapopan, Mexico, where he faces serious charges related to drug trafficking and a large-scale fuel smuggling operation linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG. Molina's activities, including managing a network of seemingly legitimate gas stations to sell stolen fuel, have generated tens of millions of dollars annually for himself and the cartel, making fuel theft the second most profitable revenue stream for Mexican cartels. The U.S. State Department has offered a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of CJNG's new leader, Juan Carlos González, as authorities continue to target the cartel's operations.