FBI: $5M reward for information on highest-ranking member of MS-13 in Honduras who has Houston ties

HOUSTON — The FBI said it’s offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest of the “highest-ranking member” of MS-13 in all of Honduras.

Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías, also known as “Porky” or Alex Mendoza, is wanted for conspiring to participate in or attempting to participate in transnational organized crime, the FBI said. This is in addition to an indictment from the U.S. Department of Justice which charged Archaga Carías in 2021 with conspiracy to violate the racketeering laws of the U.S., conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S. and possession of a machine gun in relation to a drug-trafficking crime.

“He’s considered the transnational leader of MS-13, which is one of the most violent organized crime groups in the world,” retired FBI agent James Conway said.

Conway said it’s rare to see a reward that big.

“Being on the top 10 list is usually reserved for the Osama Bin Ladens,” Conway said.

Archaga Carías, who the FBI said has ties to Houston, is accused of being responsible for directing MS-13’s criminal activities which include, drug trafficking, money laundering, murder, kidnappings and other violent crimes. He’s also responsible for the gang’s importation of large amounts of cocaine into the U.S., the FBI said.

Archaga Carías was in custody in Honduras but managed to get free.

“He was captured and was being adjudicated when his gang, very violently, got into — basically a shootout with police and were able to perpetrate his escape,” Conway said.

Some officers were killed in the shootout, authorities said.

While he’s believed to still be in Honduras, investigators hoped that someone knows something about his whereabouts.

“Because of his network and because of the number of people that may have information, and some of those networks are here in the US, somebody might be able to provide a tip,” Conway said.

Archaga Carías is a Top-10 most-wanted fugitive by the FBI, DEA and DHS Homeland Security Investigations. He is described as being about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

He should be considered armed and dangerous, the FBI said.

Anyone with information on Archaga Carías is urged to call U.S. law enforcement investigators at +1-202-451-8122 or +504 8886-7166. You can contact investigators using phone, text, WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal.

MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, is a transnational gang that has members across the U.S. 

The FBI said MS-13 inflicts fear and violence on the communities they inhabit. Their mantra is, “Mata, Viola, Controla,” which translates to “kill, rape, control.”

Texas DPS has identified Houston as a hotspot for MS-13 presence and violence.

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