US citizen linked to Los Chapitos arrested in Mazatlán, Mexico

Mexican authorities arrested a US citizen identified as Janero Van (also referred to as Janero "N", Janero Van de Mario Garrett, or Mario Garrett) in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, on July 17, 2026. He is wanted in Michigan for drug trafficking and is linked to the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel Source: excelsiormxSource: infobae.

The arrest

The operation was carried out by the Mexican Navy (Semar), the SSPC, the FGR, and the INM, with intelligence support from the DEA and U.S. Marshals Service Source: infobaeSource: lajornadamx. The suspect was located in the Tellería neighborhood and detained on an arrest warrant from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan Source: mileniomx.

Key details

• Janero Van is listed among the top 10 most wanted fugitives in Michigan Source: heraldomxSource: mileniomx.
• He is charged with possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute Source: mileniomx.
• After arrest, he was transferred to INM facilities for deportation proceedings to the U.S. Source: infobae.

Cooperation and context

The capture highlights ongoing bilateral security cooperation, though tensions exist after DEA chief Terry Cole alleged a "deadly connection" between cartels and Mexican authorities Source: infobae. The arrest occurs amid a violent internal war between Los Chapitos and Los Mayos factions in Sinaloa since 2024, which has claimed over 3,000 lives Source: infobae.