FBI Adds International Drug Dealer to "Most-Wanted" List

LAW ENFORCEMENT April 1995

The FBI recently added an international drug dealer to its "Ten Most-Wanted" list ("First International Drug Dealer Makes FBI's Most Wanted List," Drug Enforcement Report, Mar. 23, 1995, p. 4; "Drug Lord Wanted," USA TODAY, Mar. 10, 1995, p. 3A; Jerry Speyer, "Reno Adds Cartel Suspect to FBI's 10 Most-Wanted List," Washington Times, Mar 10, 1995, p. A3).

Juan Garcia-Abrego, a suspected link to the Cali Cartel in Colombia, was placed on the list as part of an FBI operation to disrupt major drug trafficking organizations.

Garcia-Abrego was indicted by a Houston grand jury in 1993 in connection with a drug trafficking and money laundering scheme, and now faces charges of coordinating a plan to smuggle massive amounts of cocaine and marijuana to the United States through Mexico. Justice Department authorities say he is the head of a major Mexican drug trafficking organization known as the "Gulf cartel" and may have been involved in more than 50 murders.

Garcia-Abrego may also be tied to recent incidents of political violence in Mexico. His nephew Antonio Abrego was arrested in connection with the assassination of presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio. U.S. authorities also suspect that Garcia-Abrego is associated with the death of senior Mexican party official Francisco Ruiz Massieu.

Attorney General Janet Reno said that the capture of suspected drug kingpins is a top Justice Department priority to ease the violence "that has plagued our communities." This is the first time a suspected international criminal figure has been placed on the FBI's list.