A high-ranking Mexican cartel member who had faked his death in 2023 was arrested November 19th in Riverside, California, according to CBS News.
Cristian Fernando Gutierraz-Ochoa is currently facing federal charges after “allegedly [directing] the importation of tons of methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States and [engaging] in violence to aid the cartel’s criminal activities” over the course of the last decade, according to CBS News.
Not only was he involved in the illegal distribution of several drugs and narcotics, but Gutierraz-Ochoa has also been connected to several other severe crimes over the years.
In fact, ABC News mentioned the “37 [year old]… [kidnapped] two members of the Mexican Navy in 2021” as well.
The kidnappings were a direct response to the arrest of his mother-in-law, and wife of his cartel’s leader.
On that note, WKRN News said it was initially believed that he “was killed by a business associate for ‘lying’.”
The business associate in question was his father-in-law, Nemesio Ruben “El Mencho” Oseguera-Cervantes, and leader of the “the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación” in which Gutierraz-Ochoa is apart of, said CNN News.
Not only is Gutierraz-Ochoa firmly connected to a cartel, but the cartel under consideration is a highly dangerous one.
However, according to CNN News, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said “The Jalisco Cartel — one of the world’s most violent and prolific drug trafficking organizations — is weaker today because of the tenacious efforts of law enforcement to track down and arrest [Gutierraz-Ochoa].”
Additionally, The Office of Public Affairs released a statement through Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, the head of California’s Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Argentieri said “[our] Criminal Division is committed to disrupting and dismantling Mexican drug trafficking organizations. Tuesday’s arrest sends a powerful message to cartel leadership: we will work tirelessly with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to hold them accountable.”
This statement was followed by one from Monaco.
She warned “those seeking to harm Americans and to profit from their pain” that this “arrest should serve as a reminder — we will find you and bring you to justice.”
If convicted, a federal district court will determine his sentence.
Gutierraz-Ochoa has the potential to “[face] a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison on the drug distribution conspiracy charge, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the money laundering conspiracy charge,” said The Office of Public Affairs.
On that note, both his trial date and his current whereabouts are currently unknown to the public.
Additionally, the Los Angeles Times said “Court records do not indicate whether he has retained a lawyer or entered a plea in response to the charges.”
Regardless, the “The Justice Department [also charged Oseguera-Cervantes] in April 2022… with leading a continuing criminal enterprise to manufacture and distribute fentanyl for importation into the United States,” said The Office of Public Affairs.
Currently, “The U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading” until the arrest and/or conviction of Oseguera-Cervantes, the Office of Public Affairs also said.