WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Department of Justice announced criminal charges Thursday against five alleged senior leaders of the United Cartels, a designated foreign terrorist organization involved in transnational criminal and drug trafficking in Mexico.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti for the DOJ said the investigation "involved extraordinary policework by our partners, some of whom came under fire in a brazen shootout."

“Today’s charges are designed to dismantle the United Cartels and bring their leaders to justice for unleashing death and destruction on American citizens,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “Working closely with our partners throughout President Trump’s Administration, we will continue our historic effort to destroy foreign terror organizations and prosecute terrorists wherever they may hide.”

In addition to the indictments, the Treasury Department announced economic sanctions against several of the alleged leaders and the State Department said it is offering a $26 million reward leading to the arrests of the five defendants.

The alleged leaders facing charges include: Juan Jose Farias Alvarez (“El Abuelo), Alfonso Fernandez Magallon (“Poncho”), Luis Enrique Barragan Chavez (“Wicho / R5”), Edgar Orozco Cabadas (“El Kamoni”), and Nicolas Sierra Santana (“El Gordo”).

Federal officials said the United Cartels acts as an umbrella organization that unites "several Michoacán-based cartels to acquire, manufacture, and distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine for smuggling into the United States."

If convicted, all five face a maximum time of life in prison.