Federal agents in Miami are putting serious money on the line to find Rodolfo “Rudy” Mantilla, a man investigators say is tied to bulk cocaine shipments moving into South Florida.
The FBI’s Miami field office has announced a reward of up to $30,000 for information that leads to Mantilla’s arrest and conviction, and is urging anyone who spots him or recognizes his alias to contact law enforcement.
In a post on X on Friday, the FBI Miami account said the bureau is offering up to $30,000 for tips that result in Mantilla being found and successfully prosecuted, directing people to call the FBI tip line, use its online portal, or reach out to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, according to FBI Miami.
Wanted On Federal Drug Charges
Federal materials list Mantilla on counts that include conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of a controlled substance. A federal arrest warrant was issued on April 11, 2024, in the Southern District of Florida.
The FBI’s wanted information identifies Mantilla’s date of birth as February 27, 1981, includes a physical description, and notes that he is also known by the alias “Rudy.” Those details appear on the agency’s wanted poster and case page, according to the FBI.
Where Investigators Say He May Be
Authorities say Mantilla has ties to the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas and may travel between those countries and South Florida. The FBI has also warned that he should be considered an escape risk.
Local coverage has echoed the bureau’s alert and repeated calls for the public to help track him down, according to Local 10.
Why Investigators Are Focused On This Case
Investigators say the alleged scheme centers on multi-kilogram shipments of cocaine that end up distributed in South Florida, a region that has long served as a gateway for international drug trafficking.
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida have recently brought a series of large drug trafficking conspiracy cases, part of an ongoing effort to disrupt networks that move bulk narcotics into the area. In public filings, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged dozens of defendants in major cocaine conspiracies in recent months, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
How To Pass Tips
Anyone with information about Mantilla’s whereabouts is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov, or contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Tips that help lead to his arrest and conviction may qualify for the advertised reward, according to the FBI.
