The U.S. government is significantly ramping up its efforts to capture two high-ranking leaders of the MS-13 gang, offering a combined reward of up to $15 million for information leading to their arrest or conviction.
The State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs announced the major cash incentives under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program.
Specifically, authorities increased the reward to up to $10 million for Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías, a fugitive widely known by the alias “Porky.” A separate reward of up to $5 million is being offered for Víctor Eduardo Morales Zelaya, who goes by the street name “Cuervo.”
According to federal court documents, both men are the highest-ranking members of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) in Honduras. The group was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the Trump Administration last year.
Investigators state that Archaga Carías and Morales Zelaya are responsible for directing the gang’s criminal operations from hiding, including murder, kidnappings, money laundering, and extortion. They are also accused of orchestrating the importation of large quantities of cocaine into the United States.
Both fugitives remain at large. Archaga Carías’ profile has risen significantly in federal law enforcement circles; he is currently featured on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, and is also listed among the most wanted targets for the DEA and Homeland Security Investigations.
The hunt for the two leaders is being coordinated by the Homeland Security Task Force, a permanent, whole-of-government initiative established by Executive Order 14159. The task force is specifically designed to dismantle transnational criminal organizations, foreign gangs, cartels, and human smuggling rings operating both inside the United States and overseas. The newly announced reward money was authorized by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and Security.
Federal authorities are looking for any actionable leads from the public and have set up several channels for tipsters. Anyone with information can contact the FBI through encrypted communication apps, including WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram, at +1 832-267-1688. Individuals inside the United States can also contact their local domestic FBI office, while those living abroad are instructed to reach out to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
The State Department noted that all identities of those providing information will be kept strictly confidential. Per the program’s rules, government officials and employees are barred from collecting these rewards if the information is discovered during the course of their official duties.
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