By The Opinion
Authorities arrest José Antonio Cortés Huerta, 39, identified by federal authorities in Mexico as the alleged leader of a cell linked to the Northeast Cartel (CDN), as part of the line of investigation into fuel smuggling networks, money laundering and illegal hydrocarbon trafficking in the north of the country.
The operation was confirmed by Omar García Harfuch, head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), who reported that the actions derived from the fulfillment of four search warrants carried out in different properties in Nuevo León.
“As a result, José Antonio ‘N’, identified as the leader of a cell related to the ‘Northeast Cartel’, was arrested. related to operations with resources of illicit origin and fuel smuggling,” said García Harfuch on social networks.
In Nuevo León, derived from investigative work after the seizure of a vessel in Tamaulipas, personnel from @SEMAR_mx, @SSPCMexico and @FGRMexico executed four search warrants.
As a result, José Antonio “N” was arrested, identified as the leader of a cell related to… pic.twitter.com/03sSpQIyWm
— Omar H Garcia Harfuch (@OHarfuch) Could well well simply 11, 2026
During the deployment, Rosario Flores Alemán, 41, was also detained. Besides, Federal forces seized weapons, drugs, vehicles, cash, computer equipment and seven tigers that remain under the protection of the authorities.
According to official information, the searched properties would be linked to Roberto Blanco Cantú, alias “El Señor de los Buques”, identified as the majority partner of the company MEFRA FLETES, SA de CV, investigated for the alleged marketing of hydrocarbons of illicit origin coming from the United States.
Federal authorities indicate that this structure would be related to operations of the so-called fiscal huachicol, type of fuel trafficking through illegal imports, simulation of documentation and tax evasion.
The investigation also connects Blanco Cantú with the seizure of the Venture Procyon tanker, intercepted in March 2025 in the port of Altamira, Tamaulipas, with approximately 20 million liters of fuel allegedly entering the country irregularly.
According to the SSPC, Cortés Huerta would be one of the main operators of this criminal network and would be related to money laundering activities, hydrocarbon smuggling and illicit financial operations linked to organized crime.
Furthermore, as a result of the searches, one of the findings that attracted the most attention was the location of seven tigers within the intervened properties.
In recent years, federal investigations have documented that members of criminal organizations use exotic animals as symbols of economic power and territorial management.
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