Mexican cartels working with extremist groups in US to place bounties on ICE agents: DHS

The Department of Homeland Security announced on Tuesday that it has obtained credible intelligence indicating that criminals in MExico have been working in coordination with domestic extremist groups in the US to place bounties on ICE agents and border Patrol personnel in Chicago.

A press release from the DHS stated, "These criminal networks have issued explicit instructions to US-based sympathetics, including street gangs in Chicago, to monitor, harass, and assassinate federal agents."

The DHS described a system that has been revealed from ongoing investigations. Gang members from groups such as the Latin Kings in Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods have been deployed as "spotters" on rooftops, "equipped with firearms and radio communications," and report ICE and CBP movements in real-time. 

"This surveillance has enabled ambushes and disruptions during routine enforcement actions, including recent raids under Operation Midway Blitz."

Cartels have also reportedly implemented a "structured bounty program" that sees payouts increase based on rank and action taken. Rewards of $2,000 are offered for gathering intelligence or doxxing agents. Rewards of between $5,000 and $10,000 are offered for "kidnapping or non-lethal assaults on standard ICE/CBP officers."

A reward of up to $50,000 is offered to those who kill high-ranking officials. 

DHS said that Antifa groups in Portland and Chicago "have provided logistical support such as pre-staged protest supplies, doxxing of agent identities, and on-the-ground interference to shield cartel-linked individuals from deportation."

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement, "These criminal networks are not just resisting the rule of law, they are waging an organized campaign of terror against the brave men and women who protect our borders and communities. Our agents are facing ambushes, drone surveillance, and death threats, all because they dare to enforce the laws passed by Congress. We will not back down from these threats, and every criminal, terrorist, and illegal alien will face American justice."