Cristian Fernando Gutiérrez Ochoa, known as "El Guacho" and son-in-law of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho," leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was arrested on November 19 in Riverside, California. The arrest followed a formal complaint accusing him of international drug trafficking, money laundering, and other serious crimes.

 

The U.S. Department of Justice filed charges, identifying Gutiérrez Ochoa as a high-ranking member of the CJNG, involved in the trafficking of methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as violent activities to protect the cartel's interests. Over the past decade, he allegedly coordinated the transportation and distribution of tons of drugs into the United States, severely impacting American communities.

 

You may also be interested in the Spanish version: Detienen a “El Guacho”, yerno de “El Mencho”; fingió su muerte para evadir la justicia: EUA

 

In 2021, Gutiérrez Ochoa was implicated in the kidnapping of two Mexican Marines in an attempt to free "El Mencho's" wife, who had been arrested by Mexican authorities. Following the incident, Gutiérrez Ochoa fled to the United States, where he assumed a false identity and lived in a luxury home in Riverside, funded by CJNG money-laundering operators.

 

 

 

 

The Department of Justice also revealed that Gutiérrez Ochoa faked his own death with the help of his father-in-law, "El Mencho," in order to evade justice and continue operating from abroad. Authorities say his arrest is a major blow to the CJNG, one of the most dangerous and prolific criminal organizations in the world.

 

If convicted, Gutiérrez Ochoa faces sentences ranging from ten years to life imprisonment for drug distribution conspiracy and money laundering.

 

Meanwhile, "El Mencho" remains at large, and the U.S. government has increased the reward for his capture, offering up to 10 million dollars for information leading to his arrest.