U.S. authorities have apprehended Christian Fernando Gutierrez-Ochoa, a prominent member of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), who was living under a false identity in Riverside, California.
Gutierrez-Ochoa, the son-in-law of CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” had allegedly faked his own death to evade capture, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Thursday.
The fugitive had illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and settled into a luxury apartment, funded by his criminal activities. Federal prosecutors have charged him with international drug trafficking and money laundering.
His arrest marks a significant blow to the CJNG, a cartel notorious for its violent operations and extensive drug distribution network.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco highlighted the importance of the arrest, stating:
“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.”
Before disappearing, Gutierrez-Ochoa played a critical role in smuggling massive quantities of drugs into the United