US DOJ Criminal Division

Los Zetas Cartel Member Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking

Daniel Perez Rojas, also known as Cachetes and Cacheton 49, a high-ranking member of the Los Zetas cartel, pleaded guilty on April 22, 2026 to one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one thousand kilograms or more of marijuana for unlawful importation into the United States. Perez Rojas was transferred from Mexico to the United States in August 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 30, facing a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. The DEA investigated the case, which is part of Operation Take Back America and the Homeland Security Task Force initiative.

Beverly Hills Mansion Forfeiture, $30M Defense Fraud Scheme

The DOJ Criminal Division filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California seeking forfeiture of a Beverly Hills mansion purchased with approximately $30 million in proceeds from a scheme to defraud the Defense Logistics Agency, pay bribes to a Kurdish official, and violate U.S. money laundering laws. A Virginia-based defense contractor allegedly obtained over $700 million from DLA for fuel deliveries to U.S. military forces during Operation Inherent Resolve (2016-2020), paying $0.25 per liter in bribes to General Mansour Barzani for exclusive airport access.