Mexican security forces arrested Ivan Cazarin Molina, a suspected regional leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) known as "El Tanque," on Monday, October 5, 2026. Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch announced the arrest on Tuesday, stating that Molina was captured in the town of Zapopan in Jalisco state. Authorities released images of Molina being escorted in handcuffs by members of the National Guard.
Investigations by Mexican authorities link Molina to a wide range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, money laundering, extortion, fuel theft, homicides, and kidnapping. Garcia Harfuch stated that Molina operated across several states, including Veracruz, Oaxaca, Tabasco, and Puebla. He is also accused of participating in a 2015 attack where CJNG members used rocket-propelled grenades to shoot down a Mexican Army helicopter, resulting in the deaths of nine law enforcement officers.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Molina in September 2024, identifying him as a member of the inner circle of the former cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho." El Mencho died in custody earlier in 2026 after being wounded during a February 22 military operation. Following his death, the cartel caused widespread unrest, including road blockades with burning vehicles in 20 states.
The impact of Molina’s alleged activities extends to various sectors, including small-business owners facing extortion and U.S. consumers, particularly in Texas, where stolen fuel is reportedly sold through third parties. In Mexico, the practice of fuel theft, known as huachicol, has become the second most profitable revenue stream for cartels. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent stated in 2025 that this smuggling provides a lucrative revenue stream that enables the CJNG to maintain its capacity for Narco-terrorism.
The arrest follows a period of heightened security in the region. In August, the U.S. State Department offered a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of the cartel's new leader, Juan Carlos González. Moving forward, the Mexican government continues its efforts to dismantle the CJNG leadership structure, a priority established following the 2015 helicopter attack and the subsequent inauguration of Operation Jalisco. No specific court dates for Molina were reported following his Monday arrest.