The publication
Who Is ‘Z-40’? Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales: Role, Charges and Status
What officials and news reports say about Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, known as “Z-40”. Everything below is attributed to its source. Accusations are allegations, not findings: anyone not convicted is presumed innocent.
At a glance
- Name: Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales
- Known as: Z-40
- Role, as officials describe it: He allegedly took over leadership of Los Zetas in October 2012 after the death of Heriberto Lazcano, leading the cartel until his own arrest in 2013. [EIN Presswire (DOJ release) · official record]
- Link to a criminal group: linked to the Cártel del Noreste in official U.S. or Mexican records cited below. See the Cártel del Noreste profile.
- On this page: 10 facts from 3 sources (6 from official records). Unverified leads are not shown.
Role, as officials describe it
- The Justice Department described Los Zetas as 'a violent cartel comprised of former Mexican military officers.' [EIN Presswire (DOJ release) · official record]
Accusations and charges
- He had been indicted on drug trafficking and weapons charges in New York in 2009 and in Washington in 2010. [Channel 4 · news/research]
- He was arraigned in Washington, D.C. on charges of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise involving multiple murder conspiracies. [EIN Presswire (DOJ release) · official record]
- He is also charged with conspiring to manufacture and distribute large quantities of cocaine and marijuana, using firearms including a machinegun, and money laundering conspiracy. [EIN Presswire (DOJ release) · official record]
Sanctions and designations
- The Cártel del Noreste was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on February 20, 2025. [EIN Presswire (DOJ release) · official record]
Names and aliases
- The Justice Department identifies him as Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, a.k.a. 'Z-40.' [EIN Presswire (DOJ release) · official record]
Key events
- After their arrests, the defendants allegedly renamed Los Zetas to the Cartel del Noreste (CDN) and continued to control the cartel while incarcerated in Mexico. [EIN Presswire (DOJ release) · news/research]
- After their arrests, the defendants allegedly renamed Los Zetas to the Cartel del Noreste (CDN) and continued to control the cartel while incarcerated in Mexico. [EIN Presswire (DOJ release) · news/research]
Other reported details
- The U.S. government had issued a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. [Channel 4 · news/research]
Our coverage
Cártel del Noreste 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.