Pablo Edwin Huerta Nuno, Fentanyl Trafficking, California 2023

Three fugitives, Pablo Edwin Huerta Nuno, Juan Carlos Felix Gastelum, and Abdul Karim Conteh, were arraigned in the Southern District of California federal court in San Diego, California, on August 12th, 2023.

Huerta Nuno, also known as “Flaquito,” is alleged to be a violent Tijuana Plaza boss who has operated with impunity during the last 15 years. He is alleged to have supplied thousands of kilograms of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine to distributors and cells located throughout San Diego and Los Angeles. In return, millions of dollars in narcotics proceeds were delivered to him and his organization via shipments of bulk cash from San Diego into Tijuana.

Juan Carlos Felix Gastelum, also known as “El Chavo Félix,” is alleged to be a major Sinaloa Cartel cell leader and son-in-law to former Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. He is additionally alleged to be a principal operator of the Sinaloa Cartel’s clandestine methamphetamine manufacturing laboratories located in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Sinaloa and Durango, Mexico involved in the manufacturing and distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico into the United States.

Abdul Karim Conteh allegedly led a human smuggling organization that smuggled thousands of migrants to the United States through Mexico. These smuggled migrants originated from countries around the world, including Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Somalia, Cameroon, Senegal, Mauritania, Ethiopia, and Egypt.

The defendants were arraigned and entered not guilty pleas before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie E. Torres. Their next court appearances are scheduled for September 12th and 19th. Pablo Edwin Huerta Nuno is facing federal charges related to fentanyl trafficking, and his case has yet to be scheduled for trial. Juan Carlos Felix Gastelum is also facing federal charges related to methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution. Abdul Karim Conteh is facing federal charges related to human smuggling.

U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon stated that the capture of the three fugitives is a testament to the FBI’s commitment to getting violent criminals off the streets. The FBI will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who profit from drug trafficking and human smuggling.

Contact: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California, [phone number], [email address].

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