Alfonso 'N', alias 'Poncho' or 'Quiringua', head of the criminal group 'Cártel de los Reyes', was apprehended. He is on the U.S. Government’s most wanted list.

Lomas de Sotelo, Mexico City, August 1, 2026. It was reported that as a result of intelligence work by the XII Military Region, with jurisdiction in the state of Michoacán, members of the Mexican Army and the National Guard, in coordination with personnel from the Navy, the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection, the Federal Attorney General’s Office, and the Michoacán Department of Public Security, carried out a surgical operation on Saturday, August 1, in the locality of Imbarácuaro in the municipality of Los Reyes de Salgado, Michoacán, in which Alfonso “N”, alias “Poncho” or “Quiringua” was arrested, accompanied by two other individuals.

Alfonso “N”, alias “Poncho” or “Quiringua” is the head of the “Cártel de los Reyes,” which belongs to “Cárteles Unidos.” The cartel operates in the municipalities of Cotija de la Paz, Tocumbo, Los Reyes de Salgado, Buenavista Tomatlán, and Peribán de Ramos, Michoacán. He is linked to the crimes of vehicle theft, abductions, extortions, and drug trafficking. The suspect is a close collaborator of Juan José “N”, alias “El Abuelo,” head of the “Cártel de Tepalcatepec,” and is responsible for the drone attacks on military personnel on January 19, 2025, in Cotija, and on June 15 and July 1, 2026 in Tingüindín and Jacona, Michoacán, respectively. At the time of his arrest, drugs, weapons, and various types of ammunition were seized.

The U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) department has an ongoing investigation into the suspect for drug trafficking-related offenses, and had offered a US$5 million reward for information leading to his arrest.