ATLANTA, Ga. – The Department of Justice announced significant developments in two Georgia cases involving drug trafficking and money laundering connected to Mexican drug cartels on Tuesday.
Brothers Johnny “Pez” Hurtado Olascoaga and Jose “Fresa” Alfredo Hurtado Olacoaga are wanted for conspiracy to manufacture, import, and distribute heroin, cocaine methamphetamine, and fentanyl to Atlanta and other U.S. cities.
Federal officials said the brothers are linked to the La Nueva Familia Michoacana Drug Cartel, or LNFM, which the U.S. recently designated as Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Johnny Olascoaga is the suspected leader of LNFM and a $5 million dollar reward is being offered by the State Department for information leading to his arrest.
A $3 million dollar reward is being offered for the arrest of his brother.
Officials say the brothers are responsible for the cartel’s resurgence within the past decade. The are believed to be residing in Mexico.
The announcement in Atlanta comes about a week after Attorney General Pam Bondi showcased the offload of more than $509 million worth of cocaine and marijuana at Port Everglades.
She said two cartels, CJNG and Sinaloa, were believed to be heavily tied to the shipments.
She said the Coast Guard targeted traffickers off the coast of Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands.
“What they did saved countless American lives. This cocaine would have been distributed throughout our country and perhaps throughout our world,” Bondi said.
Eleven defendants will be prosecuted in the Middle District of Florida as a result of the bust. Bondi said, “These defendants will be held accountable for bringing this poison into our country.”
