Mexico arrests alleged precursor-chemical trafficker sought by U.S.
Mexican authorities arrested José Ángel “N,” known as “Don Flaco,” in Mexico City in a provisional extradition case. U.S. authorities allegedly link him to an organization moving chemical precursors from China to Mexico and the United States for illicit fentanyl production.
José Ángel “N,” known as “Don Flaco,” was arrested in Mexico City in an operation involving Mexican security and investigative agencies, according to authorities. The arrest was carried out after information was exchanged with U.S. agencies, and the detainee is being held provisionally for extradition.
According to Azteca Noticias, U.S. authorities sought José Ángel “N” over alleged drug-trafficking offenses and identified him as an alleged coordinator and financier of an organization that moved chemical precursors from China to Mexico and the United States. Mexico’s Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR), through its Criminal Investigation Agency, and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection participated in the arrest, the report said.
Azteca Noticias reported that the arrest took place at 11:33 a.m. in Mexico City’s Cuauhtémoc borough, in the Hipódromo neighborhood. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control had designated “Don Flaco,” according to the source, which also said he was linked by U.S. authorities to Shanghai Fast-Fine Chemicals. The company was allegedly used to send chemical precursors to Mexican cartels for illicit fentanyl production. The case also involved information from the FBI and DEA. Mexican authorities said the arrest was provisional for extradition, and a federal judge in Mexico City and the FBI are seeking him. These accusations remain allegations, not a conviction.