In recent years, the notorious transnational street gang MS-13 has been blamed for unleashing a wave of violent attacks across America.

Yet in a bombshell move, FBI Director Kash Patel revealed this week that one of the organization's leaders has just been extradited. 

Patel says MS-13 gang boss "will face American justice"

According to the New York Post, Patel made the announcement via a statement posted to social media on Tuesday morning.

BREAKING: I can now confirm that last night, working with @TheJusticeDept and other interagency partners, the FBI has extradited one of our “Ten Most Wanted” from Mexico — one we believe to be a key senior leader of MS-13, Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales.

He was arrested in…

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 18, 2025

"I can now confirm that last night, working with (the Department of Justice) and other interagency partners, the FBI has extradited one of our 'Ten Most Wanted' from Mexico — one we believe to be a key senior leader of MS-13, Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales," Patel wrote. 

The FBI director explained that Roman-Bardales was "arrested in Mexico and is being transported within the U.S. as we speak, where he will face American justice."

Roman-Bardales was indicated in federal court three years ago on multiple charges

Patel declared that Roman-Bardales' extradition represents "a major victory both for our law enforcement partners and for a safer America."

"Thank you to our brave personnel for executing the mission," he continued before adding, "And thank you to Mexico’s SSPC and FGE teams for their support of the FBI in this investigation and arrest."

They included conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists, narco-terrorism conspiracy, racketeering conspiracy, and alien smuggling conspiracy.

Increased Mexican cooperation following Trump's tariff threats

Prosecutors assert that the alleged gang boss is responsible for overseeing a network of criminal activity in the United States, Mexico, and El Salvador.

The Post also pointed out that Roman-Bardales's extradition comes not long after the Justice Department successfully extradited 29 suspected Mexican drug cartel members. 

President Donald Trump put pressure on the Mexican government to help reign in criminal syndicates by using the threat of tariffs as leverage.

Shortly after being elected, Trump spoke of applying a 25% import tariff "if they don’t stop this onslaught of criminals and drugs coming into our country."