Just over a year after his extradition, Omar Treviño Morales, alias “Z-42,” former leader of the criminal organization known as “Los Zetas” and the “Northeast Cartel” (CDN), is once again the focus of legal attention following the release of details about a security incident at a federal prison.
According to a response shared by the District Court of Columbia, which Azteca Noticias obtained, Treviño Morales made direct threats against a U.S. officer, boasting of his ability to operate from behind bars.
The incident occurred on November 2, 2025, while the drug lord was incarcerated at the Alexandria Adult Detention Center (ADC) in Virginia. According to the official report, Treviño Morales confronted a guard in Spanish, using an intimidating tone that immediately alerted prison intelligence services.
“I know a lot of information”: Omar Treviño’s threat
The file details that “Z-42” told the officer that he “liked Doberman Pinschers” and claimed to have access to an information network capable of locating any residential address. “I’ll know where you live” and “Give me a month and I’ll know everything about you” were some of the phrases recorded in the ADC report.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office rejects the prison transfer of Omar Treviño “Z-42”; argues that he threatened a U.S. guard in Spanish
“Z-42,” former leader of “Los Zetas,” threatened a U.S. guard and was transferred
To back up his threat, the former leader of Los Zetas recalled his hierarchical position within international drug trafficking, claiming that he commanded up to 3,000 people in Mexico and that he knew exactly how to “move” to get what he wanted.
Faced with this display of psychological violence, authorities determined that Treviño Morales could not be safely housed in a local facility, leading to his immediate transfer.
Transfer of “Z-42,” former leader of “Los Zetas,” to FCI Lewisburg
As a consequence of this behavior, on November 18, 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) transferred “Z-42” to the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, a prison with greater administrative capacity to handle high-profile inmates under Special Administrative Measures (SAMs).
Treviño Morales’ defense has attempted to reverse this transfer by filing a motion to compel his local detention, arguing that the distance from his lawyers in Washington and Baltimore violates his Sixth Amendment right (right to an effective defense). However, the United States government strongly opposes his return to Virginia, citing the following:
Institutional security: Previous threats demonstrate that the defendant poses a real risk to staff at less restrictive facilities.
Access to defense: At FCI Lewisburg, Treviño Morales has received nearly 30 visits (virtual and in-person) from his legal team since mid-November.
Technical capacity: The facility has videoconferencing systems and security partitions that allow for the review of evidence without compromising the safety of the guards.
Omar Treviño and his profile as an international terror figure for the US
Extradited on February 27, 2025, Omar Treviño Morales faces charges of leading a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to traffic drugs, money laundering, and firearms offenses. The indictment notes that, along with his brother Miguel Treviño Morales (“Z-40”), he led one of the cartel’s bloodiest periods, marked by violence against civilians, politicians, and law enforcement on both sides of the border.
This recent incident reinforces federal prosecutors’ view of the danger posed by “Z-42,” who, even in custody and under severe restrictions, is attempting to project the power he once wielded in Mexico to intimidate the U.S. justice system.
Source: tvazteca
