A notorious MS-13 gang leader, known as one of the “Twelve Apostles of the Devil,” was captured in Texas after evading authorities for three years, highlighting the ongoing battle against transnational criminal organizations.
At a Glance
- Cesar Humberto Lopez-Larios, a top MS-13 leader, was arrested at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport
- Lopez-Larios faces charges including terrorism support and planning violent acts across national boundaries
- The arrest is part of a broader effort to dismantle MS-13’s criminal enterprise
- Texas law enforcement continues to combat gang activity and illegal border crossings
Capture of a “Devil’s Apostle”
In a significant blow to the MS-13 criminal organization, Cesar Humberto Lopez-Larios, one of the gang’s top leaders, was apprehended at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. The arrest came after a three-year manhunt, demonstrating the persistence of law enforcement in tracking down high-profile fugitives.
Lopez-Larios, known as one of the “Twelve Apostles of the Devil,” was captured through a collaborative effort between the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). This arrest marks a crucial step in dismantling the leadership structure of MS-13, a gang that has evolved from its origins in 1980s California into a major transnational criminal enterprise.
Charges and Implications
The captured MS-13 leader faces serious charges, including conspiracy to support terrorism, finance terrorism, and plan violent acts across national boundaries. These charges underscore the severity of MS-13’s activities and their impact on national security.
“Now that Mr. Lopez-Larios is behind bars, he’s no longer in his alleged position of power directing a reign of terror, nor enriching MS-13 and their cartel associates,” FBI Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge Hawkins said in a statement. “The FBI will continue to collaborate with our partners to seek justice and to find the remaining fugitives of this vicious transnational criminal enterprise.”
Lopez-Larios will be tried in the Eastern District of New York, joining 13 other MS-13 leaders already in custody. This consolidation of cases against high-ranking gang members demonstrates the coordinated effort to bring down the organization’s command structure.
MS-13’s Evolving Structure and Threats
The “Twelve Apostles of the Devil” were the original leaders of MS-13, which has since evolved into the “Ranfla Nacional” leadership structure. This evolution has led to an expansion of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and connections with Mexican drug cartels.
MS-13 operates with a hierarchical structure, with local cliques reporting to regional leaders and then to national leadership. This organized approach has allowed the gang to spread its influence across multiple states and countries, posing a significant challenge to law enforcement agencies.
Texas’s Ongoing Battle Against Gang Activity
The arrest of Lopez-Larios is part of a broader effort by Texas law enforcement to combat gang activity and secure the border. Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are collaborating on Operation Lone Star to address smuggling and transnational crime.
“It really goes to show that they have taken it to another level of brazenness of showing how bold they are and that they really don’t care what will happen,” said Lt. Olivarez. “They know they’re in control. That’s what we’re trying to do as far as a state agency—to show that we are the ones who are in control. We’re going to prevent what’s happening on the border and go after the criminals and arrest them. It all falls back to not having border policies in place to stop what’s happening between the ports of entry—this is the clear result.”
Operation Lone Star has resulted in over 406,500 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 32,700 criminal arrests, including over 29,900 felony charges. Additionally, Texas law enforcement has seized over 422 million lethal doses of fentanyl as part of the operation.
Ongoing Challenges and Future Efforts
While the capture of Lopez-Larios is a significant achievement, law enforcement agencies continue to face challenges in their fight against MS-13 and other criminal organizations. Two other high-ranking MS-13 members, Jorge Alexander De La Cruz and Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, remain at large, with a $20,000 reward offered for information leading to their capture.
As the battle against transnational gangs continues, law enforcement agencies at all levels remain committed to disrupting these criminal networks and bringing their leaders to justice. The arrest of Lopez-Larios serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats posed by organizations like MS-13 and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
