Mexican drug cartel leader who faked his death captured in California

Authorities arrested Cristian Fernando Gutierrez-Ochoa, a member of the Mexican cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) in California. He faces charges of drug trafficking, drug smuggling and money laundering.

Gutierrez-Ochoa, known by the alias "El Guacho" is the son-in-law of cartel leader Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes. Investigators believe he began working with CJNG in 2014, when he was around 27 years old. He is alleged to have personally organized the smuggling and distribution of approximately 40,000 kilos of methamphetamine and 2,000 kilos of cocaine into the United States.

In Mexico, "El Guacho" is accused of kidnapping two Navy members to demand the release of his father-in-law’s wife, Rosalinda González Valencia, who had been arrested for money laundering. The Department of Justice (DOJ) claims that he fled to the United States, where he assumed a false identity. There, he lived a life of luxury with one of Mencho's daughters, residing in Riverside, California, in a home purchased with drug money.

The DOJ also claims that the cartel boss allegedly helped his son-in-law fake his death, while telling his associates that he had killed him because he had lied to him.

"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," said Lisa Monaco, DOJ assistant attorney general. "El Guacho" faces charges of at least ten years in prison. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

"El Mencho" remains at large. The State Department is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his capture or conviction.