Brooklyn’s federal courthouse served as the site of the arraignment for Jair Francisco Patron Tobias, who is charged with conspiracy and arms-related offenses. Tobias, identified as a leading distributor within the H-2 cartel, was transferred from Mexico to the United States on Tuesday. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and DEA officials confirmed the arraignment, which is part of a broader extradition involving 37 individuals facing various federal charges.
Using the codenames "Crixus," "Junior," and "Gannicus," Tobias is charged with leading the trafficking of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana into multiple U.S. states. The indictment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office also alleges his involvement in money laundering, with funds sent back to Mexico. His arraignment marks the initial stage of legal proceedings against him related to the activities of the H-2 Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO).
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. described Tobias as a leading distributor for a cartel involved in sending large quantities of illegal drugs into the United States. His office said it is coordinating with federal and international partners to disrupt the trafficking of narcotics and target the organizations responsible.
Frank A. Tarentino, III, Associate Chief of Operations for the DEA Northeast Region, highlighted the agency’s focus on pursuing major drug traffickers. He stated that efforts involve collaboration with federal and international partners. Programs such as the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) are used to address threats and prosecute crimes linked to criminal cartels and trafficking networks both domestically and internationally.
The H-2 Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), previously led by Tobias’s late father and uncle, operated out of Nayarit and Sinaloa and is alleged to have used violence and intimidation to maintain its operations. Tobias faces potential life imprisonment if convicted on the charges, which remain allegations until proven in court.
Assistant United States Attorneys Nomi D. Berenson, Raffaela S. Belizaire, and Andrew D. Wang of the International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section are leading the prosecution of the case.
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