Washington DC - The US on Wednesday announced charges against several high-ranking members of one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels, and a $100 million bounty for the capture of its leaders.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche unveiled indictments against five members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) for a vast assortment of cross-border crimes.

"These cartel members have been charged with a range of crimes including running drug networks, organizing highly trained hitmen responsible for murders… procuring weapons, money laundering, and deadly drug manufacturing and distribution," Blanche said.

CJNG was designated a "foreign terrorist organization" by the Trump administration last year and is accused of running an ultra-violent global network trafficking in fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.

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In an announcement coinciding with the indictments, the State Department said it was raising the total reward money for information leading to the arrest of top CJNG leaders to more than $100 million.

The reward for the capture of new CJNG leader Juan Carlos Gonzalez was raised from $5 million to $25 million.

Gonzalez is believed to have taken control of the cartel after the killing of his stepfather, CJNG founder Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, earlier this year. The former leader's death had triggered mass violence across much of Mexico.

The State Department also said it was imposing visa restrictions on 65 individuals who are family members or close personal or business associates of CJNG-linked persons.

Renewed sanctions, restrictions, and indictments against leading cartel members comes as the US continues to clash with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's government over its handling of organized crime.

Last week, Sheinbaum was forced to defend Mexico's judicial system and sovereignty after senior White House adviser Stephen Miller laid the blame for the US' drug trafficking and immigration problem on Mexico.