Who Is ‘Aquiles’? Alfonso Arzate García: Role, Charges and Status

What officials and news reports say about Alfonso Arzate García, known as “Aquiles”. Everything below is attributed to its source. Accusations are allegations, not findings: anyone not convicted is presumed innocent.

Role, as officials describe it

• The DEA describes the brothers as high-level members of the La Mayiza faction and among DEA's most wanted fugitives. [U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, 2026-02-26 · official record]
• Treasury's Sept. 29, 2026 action targeted the support network that has enabled Aquiles and La Rana to maintain their hold on Tijuana — including their three principal lieutenants Gordo Flubber, El Cabezón and El Ranchero. [Tijuana Press, 2026-09-29 · news/research]

Accusations and charges

• Both brothers were first charged in the Southern District of California in 2014 in separate drug-trafficking indictments and have been fugitives since. The charges are allegations; neither has been convicted. [U.S. Department of State, 2026-02-26 · official record]

Sanctions and designations

• Treasury's OFAC designated both brothers on Aug. 9, 2023 under Executive Order 14059. [U.S. Department of State, 2026-02-26 · official record]
• On Sept. 29, 2026 Treasury reclassified Aquiles and La Rana under E.O. 13224, as amended, for acting for or on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel. [Pregonero Baja, 2026-09-29 · news/research]

Names and aliases

• The U.S. State Department identifies him as Alfonso Arzate-García, a/k/a "Aquiles." [U.S. Department of State, 2026-02-26 · official record]

Key events

• U.S. officials say the brothers manage a critical trafficking corridor into U.S. communities, including trafficking of illicit fentanyl — which the administration designated a Weapon of Mass Destruction. [U.S. Department of State, 2026-02-26 · official record]

Other reported details

• On Feb. 26, 2026 the State Department's Narcotics Rewards Program offered up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction in any country, alongside the identical offer for his brother. [U.S. Department of State, 2026-02-26 · official record]

Our coverage

• Who Is ‘El Mayito Flaco’? Anaheim-Born Ismael Zambada Sicairos, the Son of ‘El Mayo’ the U.S. Now Calls the ‘Undisputed Head’ of the Sinaloa Cartel’s Los Mayos Sep 30, 2026
• Xolo Gas Sanctioned: U.S. Targets a Former Business Partner of Tijuana Xolos Owner Jorge Hank Inzunza — Twin Sons of Hank Rhon’s Late Security Chief Sep 30, 2026
• Treasury Says ‘Gordo Flubber’ Ordered a 2023 Tijuana Killing: Inside the Sinaloa Cartel Cell of $5 Million Fugitives ‘La Rana’ and ‘Aquiles,’ Across From San Diego Sep 29, 2026
• Mexico Blacklists Them Too: All 46 U.S.-Sanctioned ‘Mayito Flaco’ Targets — Including Baja Gov. Marina del Pilar’s Ex-Husband Carlos Torres — Added to Mexico’s Blocked-Persons List Sep 29, 2026
• Anaheim-Born ‘Mayito Flaco’ Among 21 Sanctioned: Treasury Says Los Mayos Hired Hitmen in Southern California and Bought Protection in Tijuana and Mexicali — Reaching the Baja Governor’s Ex-Husband Sep 29, 2026
• ‘The Jail Is Now My Backyard’: Ex-Baja California Governor Ernesto Ruffo Home in Ensenada After 72 Days in El Altiplano Over Alleged U.S.-to-Mexico Fuel Smuggling by Rail Sep 28, 2026
• $54,000 to Smugglers, 3 Dead in a Hill Country Crash: Houston Man Gets 35 More Years in Del Rio, Texas, for Role in CJNG-Linked Smuggling Ring Sep 28, 2026
• ‘Angustiadísimo’: El Chapo Offered to Give Up Sinaloa Cartel Secrets to Save Sons Kidnapped by El Mencho’s CJNG in Puerto Vallarta, Ex-Security Chief Says Sep 28, 2026

Sinaloa Cartel profile · More “Who is” profiles

Last reviewed: September 30, 2026. If you are named here and believe something is wrong, contact us via our corrections page.