A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned a superseding indictment Wednesday against Audias Flores Silva, 45, of Mexico, the Department of Justice reported.

The indictment expanded charges first filed in August 2020 and alleged Flores Silva trafficked cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine into the United States and conspired to launder drug proceeds from the United States back to Mexico.

Prosecutors alleged Flores Silva, also known as “Jardinero,” was a high-ranking leader of the Mexico-based Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, or CJNG.

Authorities said Flores Silva was captured April 27 by Mexican authorities.

The Justice Department said Flores Silva had reportedly been considered a potential successor to Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes following his death during a military operation in February 2026.

The U.S. State Department designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization in February 2025.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said Flores Silva was charged with trafficking large quantities of narcotics into the United States and funneling profits back to Mexico.

DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said the superseding indictment reflected cooperation between the DEA and the Homeland Security Task Force in targeting cartel leadership structures.

Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon said authorities would continue efforts to disrupt transnational criminal organizations through interagency and international partnerships.

Flores Silva was charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine for importation into the United States, use of a firearm, including a destructive device, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and money laundering conspiracy.

If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Homeland Security Investigations and the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit are investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Douglas Meisel and Kirk Handrich of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section are prosecuting the case.

The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established under Executive Order 14159.

Federal prosecutors said an indictment is an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.