Warrants/Escape — San Diego, CA — reported 2026-07-08
SUMMARY
The FBI is asking for the public's help in locating an alleged high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel who is accused of trafficking large quantities of fentanyl and other drugs into the United States through the San Diego region.
KEY FACTS
- Incident type: Warrants/Escape
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Date reported: 2026-07-08
- Suspect: male, age 5
REPORTED DETAILS
- Carlos Alberto Paez Pereda, also known as 'Carlitos' and 'Carlitos Rugrats,' is accused of serving as a top lieutenant and leader of a violent Sinaloa Cartel wing known as 'Los Rugrats'.
- Paez Pereda allegedly oversees a large-scale manufacturing and distribution network for the Mayo Zambada faction of the cartel.
- He has been charged with narcoterrorism, material support of terrorism, and multiple drug trafficking offenses.
- A federal arrest warrant was issued on March 27, 2026, by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
- Paez Pereda is wanted for allegedly trafficking large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico.