Related Federal Cases
- Jeremia Medina, Cocaine Trafficking, Massachusetts 2021 · Massachusetts
- Shawn Woods, Racketeering Conspiracy and Fentanyl Trafficking, New York 2023 · New York
- Takeshi Ebisawa, Narcotics and Weapons Trafficking, New York 2022 · Connecticut
- Miquise Jones, Racketeering Conspiracy, New York 2023 · Alaska
- David Alexander Moralez, Jr., Methamphetamine Trafficking, North Carolina 2023 · New York
Leader of Clan Del Golfo, Colombian Drug Cartel and Terrorist Organization, Charged in Superseding Indictment
New York – Jobanis de Jesus Avila Villadiego, also known as “Chiquito” and “Chiquito Malo,” was charged in a fifth superseding indictment with expanded criminal conduct and terrorism offenses, announced the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and the FBI Assistant Director in Charge.
Avila Villadiego, a leader of the Clan Del Golfo (CDG), one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world, was previously charged in multiple superseding indictments with operating a continuing criminal enterprise, international cocaine trafficking, and using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, as well as other drug-related crimes. The fifth superseding indictment extends the end-dates of the continuing criminal enterprise and multiple conspiracies from October 2021 to April 2026.
The indictment charges Avila Villadiego with narcoterrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and providing or attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Avila Villadiego remains at large.
“As alleged, Avila Villadiego presides over a vast narcotics empire that floods the United States with cocaine and serves as a financial lifeline for a designated foreign terrorist organization. This prosecution is about more than just seizing drugs; it is about destroying terrorist organizations while simultaneously stopping the flow of deadly drugs and associated violence into the United States,” stated United States Attorney Joseph Nocella.
The charges were announced by United States Attorney Joseph Nocella; FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr.; DEA Associate Chief of Operations Frank A. Tarentino, III; and HSI Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso. “For the Clan del Golfo, narcotics trafficking and terrorism are two sides of the same coin of instability. This fifth superseding indictment demonstrates that we will continue to pursue Avila Villadiego until he is brought to justice before the American legal system,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.
According to the superseding indictment, Clan Del Golfo is responsible for trafficking thousands of kilograms of illicit narcotics into the United States. “Avila Villadiego allegedly runs a designated foreign terrorist organization responsible for trafficking thousands of kilograms of illicit narcotics into the United States. The FBI and our law enforcement partners on the NY Homeland Security Task Force are determined to defend the nation by stomping out these terrorist groups and holding accountable their leaders, regardless of where they’re hiding,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
Defendant: Jobanis de Jesus Avila Villadiego
Criminal Charges: Narcoterrorism Conspiracy, Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization, Providing or Attempting to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization, Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise, International Cocaine Trafficking, Using Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crimes
City and State: New York
Date: April 4, 2026
Current Status: At large
The New York office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Bogota offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as the Justice Department’s National Security Division, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Judicial Attaché Office in Bogotá, the Colombian Attorney General’s Office, and Colombian law enforcement authorities, provided significant assistance in the case.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug Trafficking|Organized CrimeDrug Trafficking|Organized CrimeDrug Trafficking|Organized CrimeDrug Trafficking|Organized Crime