Ever heard of a courthouse escape that looks like a Hollywood action movie? Imagine twenty guys in fake military uniforms storming a building with heavy weapons. They weren't there for a protest. They were there for one man: Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías.
Most people know him by his nickname, "Porky." Or maybe "Alexander Mendoza." Whatever name you use, the U.S. government has a very expensive one for him: $5 million. That's the price on his head as of 2026. He isn't just another gang member. He's the guy allegedly running the entire MS-13 operation in Honduras.
The Day Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías Vanished
Let’s talk about February 2020. It was a normal Tuesday in El Progreso, Honduras. Archaga Carías was in custody, being led into a courthouse for a hearing. He was facing charges for the murder of two Honduran prosecutors. Then, chaos.
A fleet of vehicles pulled up. Men dressed in police and military gear jumped out. They didn't look like criminals at first glance. They opened fire. By the time the smoke cleared, four law enforcement officers were dead. Archaga Carías was gone. Surveillance footage later showed him calmly walking out of the building carrying an AK-47.
Since that afternoon, he has been a ghost.
Honestly, the sheer scale of the operation showed how much power he actually has. You don't get twenty people to risk a suicide mission at a courthouse for a low-level dealer. You do it for the "boss of bosses."
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Why the FBI Put Him on the Top Ten List
In November 2021, the FBI officially added Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías to their Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. He was the 526th person to ever make the list.
Why him? It’s not just about the escape.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) argues that Archaga Carías isn't just a local threat in Central America. They say he’s the primary coordinator for MS-13’s cocaine trafficking into the United States. Basically, he's the middleman who makes the whole machine work. He’s accused of:
- Coordinating multi-ton shipments of cocaine.
- Ordering the hits on rival gang members.
- Supplying MS-13 members in the U.S. with guns and cash.
- Running "sicarios" (hitmen) for hire.
The Southern District of New York unsealed a massive indictment against him. It covers racketeering (RICO), narcotics smuggling, and machine gun possession. The feds don't just want him for the crimes in Honduras; they want him for the "war" they say he's waging on American soil.
A Massive Reward and a Terrorist Designation
Fast forward to 2025 and 2026. The heat has only turned up. Recently, the U.S. officially designated MS-13 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This changed the legal landscape completely. It means anyone helping Archaga Carías can be hit with terrorism-related charges.
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The $5 million reward from the State Department is one of the highest currently active. They’re banking on someone in his inner circle finally deciding that five million bucks is worth more than gang loyalty.
Physical Description and Stats
If you're wondering what he looks like, he’s not a towering figure.
- Height: 5'5"
- Weight: Around 160–180 lbs
- Birthdate: February 13, 1982 (or January 21, 1982, depending on the document)
- Features: Black hair, brown eyes, often has a shaved head.
He’s currently 43 or 44 years old. Some reports suggest he’s still hiding in the mountains of Honduras, protected by a small army of loyalists. Others think he’s moved across borders.
Misconceptions About the Search
People often think these "Most Wanted" guys are just hiding in a basement somewhere. That’s rarely the case with someone like Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías. To stay free this long, you need a network. You need people in local government, police, and businesses to look the other way.
There is a lot of talk about his ties to "Chaval" (David Elias Campbell Licona), his alleged money man who was recently extradited to the U.S. The feds are hoping Campbell's cooperation—or the paper trail he left behind—will lead them right to Porky's front door.
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Nuance matters here. Honduras has been through intense political shifts. The gang crackdowns in neighboring El Salvador have pushed a lot of criminal activity into the Honduran countryside. This makes finding one man in a sea of movement incredibly difficult for the FBI and DEA.
What Happens Next?
The search for Archaga Carías is a long game. The U.S. government has set up a dedicated WhatsApp line for tips (+1-832-267-1688). They’re even offering anonymity.
If you're following this story, keep an eye on the extradition cases currently moving through the New York courts. Often, the big break in a fugitive case doesn't come from a shootout. It comes from a mid-level accountant or a jilted business partner who decides to talk.
Practical Steps for Following the Case:
- Check the FBI Top Ten: They update the "Status" of fugitives in real-time. If his photo disappears, he's either caught or dead.
- Watch the DOJ Press Room: Any new indictments against his associates usually signal that the feds are getting closer.
- Stay skeptical of social media "sightings": Rumors about him being spotted in Texas or Florida pop up every few months, but authorities still believe his primary power base is Central America.
This isn't just about one guy. It's about the effort to dismantle the leadership of a group that has influenced the drug trade for decades. Whether or not that $5 million reward gets claimed remains to be seen.