FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores Sought in Major Drug Trafficking Case

Sep 14

$5 Million Reward for Information

Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores is wanted by federal authorities for his alleged leadership of a major transnational drug trafficking organization accused of importing large quantities of narcotics into the United States. The U.S. Department of State’s Narcotics Rewards Program is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading directly to his arrest and/or conviction.

Meza-Flores is also currently listed among the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. The FBI added him to the list on February 4, 2025, making him the 533rd person selected for the program. Federal authorities believe he is likely residing in Mexico and warn that he should be considered armed and dangerous and an international flight risk.

The FBI’s Washington Field Office is responsible for the fugitive investigation. Authorities continue seeking information from individuals in the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere who may know where Meza-Flores is living or have information about his associates and activities.

Alleged Leader of the Meza-Flores Organization

According to the FBI, Meza-Flores is the alleged leader of the Meza-Flores Transnational Criminal Organization, a heavily armed major drug trafficking organization based in Sinaloa, Mexico. The organization is accused of participating in the production, transportation, distribution, possession, and importation of large quantities of illegal drugs.

Federal authorities allege that the organization has exercised significant control over drug production and trafficking operations in several locations throughout Mexico. Its alleged activities have included moving narcotics through trafficking networks ultimately supplying the United States.

The FBI describes Meza-Flores as a major drug trafficking figure whose organization has operated across international borders. His alleged leadership position has made locating him a priority for U.S. law enforcement and contributed to his eventual placement on the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

Fentanyl, Cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine

The Meza-Flores organization is accused of trafficking several types of narcotics. According to the FBI, the organization has allegedly been responsible for the possession, distribution, and importation of large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana into the United States.

Federal authorities have described Meza-Flores as being involved in drug trafficking activity for many years. When announcing his addition to the Ten Most Wanted list in 2025, the FBI said he was accused of spending approximately two decades trafficking dangerous drugs into the United States, initially as an independent drug trafficker and later as the head of his own organization.

The federal charges specifically allege a conspiracy involving at least 500 grams of methamphetamine, five kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana intended for importation into the United States.

Organization Based in Sinaloa

Sinaloa, Mexico, is identified by the FBI as the base of the Meza-Flores Transnational Criminal Organization. The organization allegedly established influence over drug production, transportation, and distribution in multiple areas of Mexico while supplying narcotics destined for the United States.

The U.S. Department of State has previously reported that the organization controlled drug distribution in areas of Sinaloa, southern Sonora, and Nayarit. Its alleged ability to control territory and transportation routes helped establish Meza-Flores as a significant figure in international narcotics trafficking.

Authorities characterize the organization as heavily armed, an important factor in the FBI’s warning concerning Meza-Flores. Anyone who believes they recognize him should not attempt to approach or apprehend him.

Previous Connection to Beltran-Leyva Organization

Before allegedly becoming the leader of his own organization, Meza-Flores was identified by the U.S. Department of State as a high-ranking leader within the Beltran-Leyva Transnational Criminal Organization.

The State Department has described Meza-Flores as having been the “right hand man” of Alfredo Beltran-Leyva before Beltran-Leyva was arrested in 2008. That position allegedly placed Meza-Flores within a significant Mexican drug trafficking network before he emerged as the leader of the organization that now bears his name.

His history within organized drug trafficking networks provides additional context for the longstanding federal investigation. Authorities allege that his involvement in narcotics trafficking stretches back many years and continued as his influence and leadership responsibilities expanded.

Other Violent Crimes Alleged by FBI

When Meza-Flores was added to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, the FBI described allegations extending beyond narcotics trafficking. The Bureau stated that Meza-Flores and his organization have also been accused of violent crimes including kidnapping, extortion, torture, and murder.

These allegations are part of the broader picture federal authorities have presented of the organization, which the FBI characterizes as heavily armed. The criminal charges identified on Meza-Flores’ current FBI wanted poster, however, center on narcotics trafficking and the use and possession of a firearm.

As with the federal drug charges, allegations concerning Meza-Flores remain accusations unless established through the judicial process.

Original Federal Indictment Filed in 2012

The federal case against Meza-Flores dates back more than a decade. He was originally indicted on May 2, 2012, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The indictment marked a major step in the federal government’s investigation into his alleged narcotics trafficking activities. Despite the charges, authorities were unable to take Meza-Flores into custody, and the investigation continued as federal agencies pursued additional evidence.

His continued absence eventually resulted in further federal action and a superseding indictment several years later.

Superseding Indictment Issued in 2019

On November 26, 2019, a federal superseding indictment and arrest warrant were issued for Meza-Flores in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The superseding indictment charged him with multiple drug trafficking violations as well as use and possession of a firearm.

According to the FBI, the indictment alleges that Meza-Flores participated in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana for importation into the United States between 2005 and 2019.

The federal charges mean authorities are seeking Meza-Flores so he can be taken into custody and brought before a U.S. court. The charges remain allegations unless and until proven in court.

Added to FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives

On February 4, 2025, the FBI announced that Meza-Flores had been added to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. He became the 533rd person added to the program since its establishment in 1950.

His placement on the list substantially increased the public visibility of the investigation. The FBI uses the Ten Most Wanted program to generate widespread attention and public assistance in locating fugitives accused of serious crimes who have proven difficult to apprehend.

Meza-Flores remains on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. The Bureau continues distributing his photograph, aliases, physical description, alleged criminal activities, and reward information in an effort to develop leads concerning his location.

FBI Description of Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores

According to the FBI, Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores was born on June 19, 1982, in Mexico. He is a Mexican national described as a Hispanic male with dark brown hair and brown eyes.

The FBI lists Meza-Flores as approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds. Because authorities have been searching for him for years, his current weight, hairstyle, facial hair, and other aspects of his appearance could differ from photographs distributed by law enforcement.

Investigators therefore encourage people with information to consider his complete identifying profile rather than relying exclusively on a single photograph.

Known as “El Chapo Isidro”

Meza-Flores is known by several aliases and nicknames. The FBI lists “El Chapo Isidro,” “Chapo Isidro,” and “Chapito Isidro” among the names associated with him.

These aliases are particularly important because individuals involved in international criminal organizations may be better known to associates by nicknames than by their full legal names. Someone familiar with “El Chapo Isidro” or one of the other aliases may possess information concerning Meza-Flores without previously recognizing the name used on his federal indictment.

Information concerning additional names, identification documents, residences, businesses, telephone numbers, vehicles, or other identities associated with him could potentially assist investigators.

Believed to Be Living in Mexico

The FBI believes Meza-Flores is likely residing in Mexico. His alleged organization is based in Sinaloa, and his longstanding connections to Mexican drug trafficking networks are central to the federal investigation.

Authorities have not publicly identified a confirmed current residence for Meza-Flores. Information concerning locations where he has previously stayed could still be valuable because it may identify associates, transportation networks, businesses, properties, or other connections that remain active.

People who have encountered Meza-Flores in Mexico or elsewhere are encouraged to report that information directly to law enforcement rather than attempting to independently investigate his activities.

Considered Armed and Dangerous

The FBI warns that Meza-Flores should be considered armed and dangerous. The Bureau also identifies him as an international flight risk.

The warning reflects both the firearm charge against him and the FBI’s description of the Meza-Flores organization as a heavily armed transnational criminal organization. Anyone who believes they recognize Meza-Flores should avoid approaching, confronting, following, or attempting to apprehend him.

Instead, possible sightings should be reported to appropriate authorities. Information such as a location, vehicle, associate, residence, business, telephone number, or travel information could potentially assist investigators while allowing trained law-enforcement personnel to determine how to respond.

Multi-Agency Federal Investigation

The search for Meza-Flores involves more than one federal agency. His case has been connected to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces program, which brings together federal, state, and local law-enforcement resources to investigate and dismantle major drug trafficking, money laundering, and weapons trafficking organizations.

The FBI has also worked alongside other federal law-enforcement partners as authorities investigate Meza-Flores and the organization he allegedly leads. The international nature of the case requires cooperation involving agencies responsible for narcotics investigations, organized crime, border-related criminal activity, and fugitive apprehension.

The U.S. Department of State’s involvement through the Narcotics Rewards Program adds another component to the effort by offering a substantial financial reward for information capable of producing an arrest or conviction.

State Department Narcotics Rewards Program

The reward in the Meza-Flores case is offered through the U.S. Department of State’s Narcotics Rewards Program. The program is designed to obtain information that assists authorities in identifying and bringing major international narcotics traffickers to justice.

The State Department is offering up to $5 million for information leading directly to the arrest and/or conviction of Meza-Flores. Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards offered through the program.

The State Department has also stated that identities of individuals providing information through the Narcotics Rewards Program are kept strictly confidential. People outside the United States can provide information through the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

$5 Million Reward Remains Available

The reward of up to $5 million remains one of the most prominent elements of the international effort to locate Meza-Flores. Authorities are seeking information capable of establishing his current location as well as information that could help investigators understand the people, properties, businesses, transportation networks, or other resources supporting him.

Individuals in the United States can contact federal law enforcement if they possess information concerning Meza-Flores. Those outside the United States can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, while information can also be submitted through the FBI’s official tip system.

The FBI’s Washington Field Office remains responsible for the wanted case. Anyone who encounters Meza-Flores should remember the FBI’s warning that he is considered armed and dangerous and should not attempt to approach or apprehend him.

International Search Continues

More than a decade after Meza-Flores was initially indicted, the federal effort to locate him remains active. His alleged leadership of a heavily armed drug trafficking organization, suspected role in moving large quantities of narcotics into the United States, and longstanding connections to organized crime have made him a significant target for U.S. authorities.

His addition to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2025 brought renewed attention to the investigation, while the State Department’s reward of up to $5 million provides a substantial incentive for information leading to his arrest or conviction.

Authorities continue encouraging anyone with credible information about Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores, his aliases, whereabouts, associates, or activities to report it through official law-enforcement channels.