Additional Coverage:
- Mexican cartel leader who faked own death arrested in California (newsbreak.com)
Drug Lord Arrested in California
Cristian Fernando Gutierrez-Ochoa, a high-ranking cartel leader from Mexico, was arrested in Riverside, California, on Tuesday. He is the son-in-law of Nemesio Oseguera-Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel.
Gutierrez-Ochoa is accused of smuggling tons of meth and cocaine into the US, along with violent acts for the cartel. He allegedly faked his death to evade capture and live a luxurious lifestyle in California.
Jalisco Cartel’s Violent Activities
The Jalisco cartel, led by El Mencho, is known for its violence and drug trafficking. Gutierrez-Ochoa allegedly coordinated the shipment of 40,000 kilograms of meth and 2,000 kilograms of cocaine from Mexico to the US. He is also accused of kidnapping Mexican navy members to secure the release of El Mencho’s wife.
El Mencho and His Family
El Mencho, the cartel’s founder, is also indicted in the US. His brother, Antonio Oseguera, was arrested in Mexico last December for violent actions and money laundering.
Fentanyl and Drug Overdose Crisis
The Jalisco cartel is notorious for producing and smuggling fentanyl into the US, often disguised as other drugs. Fentanyl is responsible for thousands of overdose deaths annually in the US.
DEA’s Top Priority
The DEA’s top priority is combating the Jalisco cartel and the Sinaloa cartel, which are responsible for the deadly drug crisis in the US. Gutierrez-Ochoa’s arrest is a significant step towards this goal.
Sanctions and Fraud
Earlier this year, the US imposed sanctions on Mexican accountants and firms linked to a timeshare fraud scheme run by the Jalisco cartel that targeted Americans.
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- Mexican cartel leader who faked own death arrested in California (newsbreak.com)