A federal grand jury in Washington has indicted Ivan Cazarin Molina, an alleged regional commander of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, on a narcotics conspiracy charge and a related firearm count.
The Justice Department announced the indictment on October 22. Prosecutors allege that Cazarin Molina, a 42-year-old Mexican national also known as “Tanque”, participated from 2005 through 2025 in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and 500 grams of methamphetamine for importation into the United States.
The firearm count alleges that he used, carried, brandished and discharged a weapon in furtherance of the trafficking conspiracy. The government says he held command responsibility for cartel activity in Veracruz. Mexico designated no finding in this US case; the allegation will have to be proved in federal court.
Cazarin Molina was arrested by Mexican authorities in Jalisco on October 5. The Justice Department did not state in its announcement that he had been transferred to US custody or entered a plea. Questions concerning extradition, appearance and detention therefore remain separate from the grand jury’s charging decision.
If convicted on all counts, prosecutors say he would face a mandatory minimum of 40 years and a maximum of two consecutive life sentences. Those figures describe the statutory exposure, not a predicted sentence. An indictment is only an accusation, and Cazarin Molina is presumed innocent unless guilt is proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
