Key Facts

• José Antonio Cortes Huerta, 39, was arrested in Nuevo León, Mexico.
• He leads a cell affiliated with the Northeast Cartel, a group active near the U.S. border.
• Authorities recovered unknown narcotics, 10 guns, cash, 11 vehicles, six motorcycles, and seven tigers during the arrest.
• The seven tigers are linked to cartel symbols of power and have been used to kill enemies.
• The Northeast Cartel is a breakaway group from the Zetas crime syndicate and was designated a terrorist group by the U.S. in 2025.
• The cartel traffics fentanyl, crystal meth, heroin, and cocaine, and controls smuggling routes on both sides of the border.
• The arrest follows increased efforts by Mexico, supported by the U.S. government under President Donald Trump, to crack down on drug cartels.
• Other recent actions include capturing leaders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and associates of drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzman’s brother.