Carlos Alberto Paez Pereda (Carlos Alberto Páez Pereda), known as Carlitos Rugrats, is a suspect in a US drug trafficking case who is wanted by the FBI. The agency links him to the leadership of Los Rugrats and the La Mayiza faction of the Sinaloa cartel. [1][2]
Brief profile
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name in sources | Carlos Alberto Páez Pereda |
| Date of birth | 27 September 1995 — according to the FBI file |
| Jurisdiction and international links | Mexico; USA; Sinaloa; Tijuana |
| Legal status | Listed on the FBI’s wanted list; facing criminal charges in the US |
| Other names and aliases | Carlos Paez Pereda; “Carlitos Rugrats”; “Carlitos” |
Drug shipments and an armed organisation
According to the FBI, the group was involved in trafficking fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine from Sinaloa via Tijuana into the US. The individual profile also mentions an alleged armed wing that used violence to support the network’s operations. [1][2]
The arrest warrant issued by the Southern District of California is dated 27 March 2026. The charges include drug-related terrorism, providing material support to a foreign terrorist organisation, drug offences and money laundering. This is an indictment, not a conviction. [1][2]
Why news of the arrest of his associates does not mean he has been arrested
In October 2026, the media reported the arrests of alleged associates and relatives from his inner circle. Reports of such operations do not in themselves confirm the arrest of Paes Pereda. His own FBI profile continues to serve as the basis for his wanted status in this case. [1][2]
Timeline of the case
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 27.03.2026 | Issuance of a federal arrest warrant. |
| October 2026 | Reports of arrests of individuals from his alleged inner circle. |
Verified on 4 November 2026. The status of the case is based on the sources cited; charges and allegations do not constitute a conviction.
