United States Drug Enforcement Administration

LOS ANGELES – The Drug Enforcement Administration, together with the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of State, today announced the unsealing of a superseding indictment and a $5 million reward offer for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Sinaloa Cartel-linked drug trafficker Juan José Ponce Félix, a.k.a. “El Ruso.” 

The reward offer and a newly established tip line are intended to help end the pursuit of the alleged drug trafficker, whose criminal activities are believed to include kidnapping, human trafficking, torture, and murder to further the interests of the Sinaloa Cartel, which the United States in February 2025 designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

The DEA and the FBI are encouraging people with information about Ponce Félix, whose aliases also include “Jesús Alejandro Sánchez-Félix, to send information to RusoTips@dea.gov or contact 52-55 2312 3768 through +WhatsApp or signal.  Identities are kept strictly confidential. 

Ponce Félix is the leader of “Los Rusos,” a group controlling the Mexicali drug trafficking corridor and faction of the Sinaloa Cartel loyal to cartel co-leader, Ismael Zambada García, aka “El Mayo.”  His organization is believed to be responsible for distributing millions of dollars’ worth of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin from Mexico into the United States. It is also believed that the broken ties between “Los Rusos” and rival Sinaloa Cartel faction the “Chapitos” has resulted in increased cartel violence in Mexico.   

Ponce Felix’s organization directly manages the distribution of millions of dollars’ worth of narcotics, particularly cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin, from Mexico to the U.S., as well as the sending of proceeds from the sale of these drugs back to Mexico. The government further alleges Ponce Félix is involved in firearms trafficking among other crimes to maintain his power and control over this territory along the U.S.–Mexico border.

In its statement announcing the reward, the U.S. Department of State further asserted Ponce Félix is also involved in public corruption schemes with various members of the government, police force and military in Mexico, paying bribes of more than $1 million per month to maintain his drug distribution enterprise. 

“Juan José Ponce Félix represents a ruthless and violent faction of the Sinaloa Cartel responsible for devastating families by fueling the drug crisis throughout the United States,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “For years, Ponce Félix has resorted to kidnapping, torture, and murder to maintain his grip on power. This reward underscores this Administration’s whole-of-government approach and unwavering commitment to destroy the Sinaloa Cartel. DEA will not rest until cartel leadership like, Ponce Félix, are held accountable for the devastation they have caused.”

“Ponce Félix and his brigade of drug criminals have been terrorizing communities, both in Mexico and the United States, for far too long,” said Brian M. Clark, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division. “Undeterred, this Sinaloa Cartel faction continues to unleash its poison into our communities and around the globe. Nonetheless, our dedicated and skilled agents remain steadfast, working in tandem with our partners to ensure ‘El Ruso’ ends up behind bars. The reward offer is a testament to our government’s resolve to bring him to justice. We hope anyone with information will pick up the phone and call the tip line.” 

Today’s announcement comes on the heels of an intensified DEA-led campaign targeting Sinaloa Cartel operatives and associates during the month of August. The operation, which took place August 25 through August 29 across DEA domestic divisions and seven foreign regions, resulted in 617 arrests, the seizure of multiple quantities of fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin, more than $11 million U.S. currency, and 420 firearms. 

This coordinated action was a combination of DEA’s increased focus on enforcement, intelligence, and domestic and international collaboration, utilizing every resource in DEA’s arsenal to degrade the Sinaloa Cartel’s command and control.

###