U.S. Department of State [Yonhap News Photo]

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs announced on the 18th (local time) that it has offered rewards of up to $15 million (approximately 23 billion won) for two leaders of the transnational criminal organization 'Mara Salvatrucha' (MS-13).

The individuals are Joolan Adonay Archaga Carías (nickname 'Porky') and Victor Eduardo Morales Celaya (nickname 'Cuervo'). Rewards of $10 million and $5 million, respectively, will be paid for information leading to their arrest and conviction.

Carías is one of the FBI's 'Ten Most Wanted' and is also on the priority fugitive lists of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The Department of State had previously offered a reward of up to $5 million for Carías in April of last year, and has now doubled that amount.

Citing court documents, the Department of State stated that Carías and Celaya are the highest-ranking members of MS-13 in Honduras, responsible for directing the organization's criminal activities, including drug trafficking, money laundering, murder, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. They are also involved in the smuggling of large quantities of cocaine into the United States by MS-13.