Leader Sentenced, International Money Laundering Thursday, Share Facebook — Mexican Cartel Leader Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Prison for International Money Laundering | United States Justice Department.
Gutierrez-Ochoa also used CJNG drug proceeds to purchase items of value, including jewelry, watches and vehicles.Gutierrez-Ochoa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder CJNG’s drug proceeds. announcement Mexican Cartel Leader Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Prison for International Money Laundering Thursday, December 18, 2025 Share Facebook X LinkedIn Email For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A foreign national and a leader of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) was sentenced today to 140 months in prison and three years of supervised release for an international money laundering offense.“Cristian Fernando Gutierrez-Ochoa
epitomizes the arrogance of the cartels – laundering millions in drug profits, stockpiling cash and ghost guns, kidnapping military officials, and believing he could live in luxury and anonymity on American soil,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. Gutierrez-Ochoa’s sentence demonstrates the Criminal Division’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling dangerous drug trafficking organizations, including CJNG, and keeping our country safe.”court filings state, Gutierrez-Ochoa, 28, of Michoacán, Mexico, worked with other CJNG operatives in Mexico and the United States to launder millions in U.S. Gutierrez-Ochoa admitted to keeping over $2.2 million of drug proceeds
in bulk cash at the residence and possessing two untraceable firearms in furtherance of the underlying money laundering offense. The Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.Trial Attorneys Kaitlin Sahni, Lernik Begian and Douglas Meisel of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) prosecuted the case. Updated December 18, 2025 Topic Drug Trafficking Components Criminal Division Criminal – Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section Criminal – Office of International Affairs Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announcement Number: 25-1219. Gutierrez-Ochoa lived in that residence under a fictitious identity for at least a year with the