Cuban authorities have detained Chinese national Zhi Dong Zhang, a notorious fentanyl trafficker who escaped custody in Mexico earlier this year and is also wanted by the United States, according to Mexican security sources cited by AFP on Wednesday.

Zhang, widely known by his alias “Brother Wang,” was apprehended in Cuba after eluding Mexican law enforcement since his July escape. He is accused of maintaining close connections with Mexican drug cartels involved in the production and trafficking of synthetic opioids into North America.

Sources indicated that Zhang will remain in Cuban custody pending a decision regarding his potential extradition. Both Mexico and the United States are reportedly engaged in discussions with Cuban authorities to secure his transfer.

The arrest marks a significant development in international anti-narcotics cooperation, as fentanyl smuggling continues to pose a severe public health crisis across North America.