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Narrator: On February 4, 2025, FBI Acting Director Brian Driscoll announced the addition of Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores to the Bureau’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

Acting Director Brian Driscoll: Known as "El Chapo Isidro," he’s accused of spending the last 20 years flooding the United States with fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and other deadly drugs, first as an independent drug trafficker and later as the head of the Meza-Flores cartel.

Narrator: The U.S. State Department’s Narcotics Rewards Program is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information that leads to Meza-Flores’ arrest and/or conviction.

Tune in to this episode to learn more about Meza-Flores and how you can help us catch this fugitive.

This is Inside the FBI.

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Narrator: Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores is the alleged leader of the Meza-Flores transnational criminal organization, which is based in Sinaloa, Mexico.

The organization predominately controls drug production, transportation, and distribution in several locations throughout Mexico—and is allegedly responsible for possessing, distributing, and importing large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana into the U.S.

Driscoll: In addition to the scourge of illicit drugs Meza-Flores and his organization have unleashed into the United States from across our southern border, they’re also accused of heinous crimes ranging from kidnapping and extortion to torture and murder.

Narrator: Meza-Flores was originally indicted on May 2, 2012, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. On November 26, 2019, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Meza-Flores with drug trafficking violations and possession of a firearm.

Meza-Flores is 42 years old and has dark brown hair and brown eyes. He is 5'6" tall and weighs about 160 pounds. He also goes by the nicknames "Chapo Isidro" and "Chapito Isidro."

Meza-Flores likely resides in Mexico. He’s considered armed and dangerous and is an international flight risk.

Driscoll: The U.S. government is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest and conviction, and we encourage anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the FBI and help us add Meza-Flores to the list of dangerous fugitives we’ve brought to justice together.

Narrator: If you have any information concerning Meza-Flores, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate or call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). You can also submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov or contact the FBI via WhatsApp at 571-379-3951. WhatsApp is neither a government-operated nor a government-controlled platform.

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Narrator: This has been another production of Inside the FBI. You can follow us on your favorite podcast player, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. You can also subscribe to email alerts about new episodes at fbi.gov/podcasts.

On behalf of the FBI’s Office of Public Affairs, thanks for tuning in.

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