$3 Million U.S. Bounty: Mexican Troops Capture ‘Kamoni,’ Alleged Tepalcatepec Cartel Boss Wanted for Extradition on Drug Charges
Mexican soldiers, National Guard special forces and Interpol Mexico have arrested a man identified as Edgar Valeriano “N,” alias “Kamoni,” whom Mexico’s Defense Ministry describes as a regional boss of the Tepalcatepec Cartel in Michoacán, and for whom the U.S. government was offering up to $3 million. The arrest took place Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Tepalcatepec, according to the Defense Ministry statement as reported by the EFE news agency and El Financiero.
Wanted for extradition to the United States
According to EFE’s Sept. 23 report, the Defense Ministry said the detainee had a provisional arrest warrant for extradition to the United States on drug-trafficking charges. The ministry said “the government of that country” was offering $3 million for information leading to his capture. EFE reported that the arrest resulted from information exchanged through Interpol.
TV Azteca, also on Sept. 23, reported that U.S. authorities had previously announced drug-trafficking and weapons charges against five leaders of Cárteles Unidos, with rewards ranging from $3 million to $10 million. El Financiero described Kamoni as a regional chief of Cárteles Unidos. Neither outlet published the U.S. charging document, and the U.S. case has not been tested in court.
What Mexican authorities accuse him of
The Defense Ministry said Kamoni operated in the Michoacán municipalities of Tepalcatepec and Buenavista. According to EFE, Mexican authorities blame him for generating violence in the region and for “the production and distribution of synthetic drugs.” He is also linked to extortion of businesses in the citrus sector and is identified as a close collaborator of alias “Abuelo,” the leader of the Tepalcatepec Cartel, EFE reported. El Financiero identified that leader as Juan José “N.”
These are accusations from Mexican officials. No court has ruled on them, and Kamoni is presumed innocent.
Weapons seized; handed to federal prosecutors
El Financiero and TV Azteca reported that weapons and ammunition were seized in the operation. Neither outlet listed quantities. After the arrest, the detainee was flown by Mexican Air Force helicopter to Mexico City and handed over to the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), which will continue the investigation, El Financiero reported.
Sources
- EFE via Infobae, “Ejército mexicano captura a un jefe regional del cartel de Tepalcatepec buscado por EE.UU.,” Sept. 23–24, 2026
- El Financiero, “Cárteles Unidos se queda sin jefe regional: Capturan a ‘El Kamoni’ buscado por EU,” Sept. 23, 2026
- TV Azteca, “Ofrecían tres millones de dólares por él: ¿quién es ‘Kamoni’, capo del Cártel de Tepalcatepec detenido?,” Sept. 23, 2026
This report reflects the sources above as of Sept. 24, 2026. The Narco Blog has not reviewed the U.S. charging documents or the extradition request, and the accusations described here are allegations, not court findings.