The elusive drug lord who became the FBI's 533rd most wanted fugitive
In short: Born in 1982, Fausto Isidro Meza Flores rose from a young operative in the Juarez Cartel to a central figure in the Beltran Leyva organization. Now a primary target for international law enforcement, he commands a network notorious for trafficking illicit substances across the border, sparking violent territorial conflicts.
Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, frequently identified by the alias El Chapo Isidro, began his trajectory in the criminal underworld during the 1990s under the guidance of Amado Carrillo Fuentes. Following the 1997 death of Carrillo Fuentes, Meza Flores transitioned to the Beltran Leyva faction. He established a reputation for tactical proficiency and loyalty, eventually becoming a key lieutenant to the Beltran Leyva brothers. When Arturo Beltran Leyva was killed by the Mexican military in December 2009, many associates defected, but Meza Flores maintained his allegiance to the remaining leadership.
His criminal organization, Los Mazatlecos, has operated across regions including Sinaloa and Nayarit since 2000, managing the distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, and cocaine. This expansion led to a brutal rivalry with the Sinaloa Cartel, resulting in significant violence throughout the region. A notable confrontation occurred on July 1, 2010, in Tubutama, Sonora, where a clash between rival factions left approximately 30 individuals dead. The area remains a strategic point for smuggling operations near the United States border.
The United States government has intensified efforts to apprehend Meza Flores, designating him a high-priority target under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. In January 2013, the Treasury Department froze assets linked to him and his family. Despite narrow escapes from law enforcement, such as an operation in Choix in April 2010, he remained at large for over a decade. On February 4, 2025, the FBI officially added him to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list as the 533rd person to hold that status. The U.S. government currently maintains a multi-million dollar bounty for intelligence that results in his arrest.
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