FBI-Wanted MS-13 Suspect Has Been Extradited to the US

One of the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” fugitives and alleged MS-13 leader Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales has been extradited from Mexico to face American justice.

Quick Takes

Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, thought to be a “key senior leader” of MS-13, was arrested in Veracruz, Mexico, and extradited to the US
The arrest resulted from international cooperation between US and Mexican authorities, with the FBI having offered a $250,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
Roman-Bardales faces serious charges including conspiracy to support terrorists, narco-terrorism, racketeering, and alien smuggling.
The Trump administration has designated MS-13 as a foreign terrorist organization and recently deported 23 MS-13 members to El Salvador.
The extradition represents a significant win in the ongoing battle against transnational criminal organizations operating across US borders.

International Cooperation Leads to High-Profile Arrest

Mexican authorities arrested Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales in Baxtla, Mexico, following meticulous intelligence gathering and surveillance operations. The suspect, who was on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” list, was apprehended through a coordinated effort involving Mexican soldiers and federal agents. Following his capture, Roman-Bardales was transferred to Mexico City before being handed over to US authorities as part of the extradition process. This operation highlights the strengthening security cooperation between the United States and Mexico in combating transnational criminal organizations.

Mexican authorities provided details about the arrest in an official statement: “The suspect was informed of the reason for his arrest, read his legal rights, and will be transferred to Mexico City, where he will be taken to the appropriate authorities, and subsequently deported to the United States where he is wanted.” Intelligence gathered by Mexican security agencies identified Roman-Bardales as “a Salvadoran national [who] belongs to a Salvadoran criminal group with an international presence,” confirming his significant role in MS-13’s operations across multiple countries.

FBI extradites 'Ten Most Wanted' list fugitive from Mexico: Patel https://t.co/xkIGek429d

— KLFY NEWS 10 (@KLFY) March 19, 2025

Serious Charges Await the MS-13 Leader

Roman-Bardales faces a litany of serious federal charges in the Eastern District of New York. These include conspiracy to support terrorists, narco-terrorism, racketeering, and alien smuggling. According to law enforcement sources, the suspect is wanted for directing MS-13 activities throughout the United States, Mexico, and El Salvador. His alleged criminal portfolio includes orchestrating acts of violence, overseeing drug distribution networks, and managing the gang’s extortion operations across international borders.

The FBI had previously offered a substantial $250,000 reward for information leading to Roman-Bardales’ arrest, underscoring his importance as a law enforcement target. This extradition comes amid a series of similar actions, including the recent handover of 29 drug cartel figures to U.S. authorities, among them Rafael Caro Quintero. Additionally, Jesus Ricardo Patron Sanchez, another significant cartel member, was recently extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking charges, demonstrating Mexico’s increased commitment to addressing organized crime groups operating on both sides of the border.

Trump Administration’s Aggressive Stance on MS-13

The successful extradition of Roman-Bardales aligns with the Trump administration’s intensified approach to combating MS-13 and similar transnational criminal organizations. The Trump administration formally designated MS-13 and other similar groups as foreign terrorist organizations, significantly expanding the legal tools available to law enforcement. This designation by the U.S. Department of State acknowledges the severe threat posed by the gang, which originally formed in Los Angeles but has since established a substantial presence throughout Central America, particularly in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.

In addition to pursuing high-level gang leaders like Roman-Bardales, the administration has implemented a comprehensive deportation strategy targeting known gang members. Recent operations resulted in the deportation of 23 MS-13 members to El Salvador and the handover of more than 200 alleged gang members to Salvadoran authorities. The United States is also tackling what the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration has described as “the most dangerous and deadly drug crisis,” with particular focus on the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels, which remain major contributors to drug trafficking into the United States.