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Cristian Fernando Gutierrez-Ochoa, a Mexican cartel leader who faked his own death so he could live in California was arrested by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) this week. He was charged with multiple international drug trafficking and money laundering offenses.
Gutierrez-Ochoa — a high-ranking member of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and the son-in-law of the CJNG’s leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, was arrested in Riverside, California. According to the DEA, Gutierrez-Ochoa “personally coordinated the transportation and distribution of approximately 40,000 kilograms of methamphetamine and approximately 2,000 kilograms of cocaine” into the United States.
Cristian Fernando Gutiérrez Ochoa alias 'El Guacho', era pieza clave en la estructura del Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación: https://t.co/1PRmY3YSft pic.twitter.com/GDmtvHB8wD
— Univision 32 (@Univision32) November 22, 2024
“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 a cartel leader who allegedly faked his own death and assumed a false identity to evade justice and live a life of luxury in California,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
“As these charges allege, Gutierrez-Ochoa directed the trafficking of lethal narcotics, causing untold destruction in our communities. To those seeking to harm Americans and to profit from their pain, this arrest should serve as a reminder — we will find you and bring you to justice.”
Gutierrez-Ochoa also allegedly kidnapped two members of the Mexican Navy in an attempt to force Mexican authorities to release El Mencho’s wife, who had been arrested in 2021.
Following the alleged kidnapping, Gutierrez-Ochoa allegedly fled into the United States and used a fake identity to live in a luxury home in Riverside purchased by CJNG’s money laundering operatives with drug trafficking proceeds. Court documents claim he may have been assisted in faking his own death by El Mencho, who allegedly told associates he had murdered Gutierrez-Ochoa for lying.
“Over the last decade, Cristian Gutierrez-Ochoa, a close associate of CJNG’s top leader, allegedly directed the importation of tons of methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States and engaged in violence to aid the cartel’s criminal activities,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
“The 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.”
Gutierrez-Ochoa is charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine unlawfully imported into the United States and conspiracy to launder drug trafficking proceeds. He faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison and a maximum of life in prison on the drug charge, and a maximum of 20 years in prison on the money laundering conspiracy charge.
The U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to El Mencho’s arrest and/or conviction.