U.S. Offers $100 Million in Rewards for CJNG Fugitives

-Editorial 

The U.S. Department of Justice announced new charges against several alleged senior leaders of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and more than $100 million in reward offers for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of eight fugitives accused of holding leadership roles within the Mexican drug cartel.

The Justice Department announced in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the National Coordination Center (NCC).

The Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs announced rewards for information involving Juan Carlos Valencia González, also known as “Pelón”; Audias Flores Silva, also known as “Jardinero”; Julio César Montero Pinzón, also known as “Tarjetas”; Carlos Andrés Rivera Varela, also known as “La Firma”; Hugo Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán, also known as “Sapo”; Ricardo Ruiz Velasco, also known as “RR” or “Tripa”; Julio Alberto Castillo Rodríguez, also known as “Chorro”; and Griselda Margarita Arredondo Pinzón.

The combined rewards total more than $100 million, according to federal officials.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the charges represent part of an effort to target cartel leadership and disrupt criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, violence and other alleged crimes.

“Today’s unsealing of criminal charges against five high-ranking CJNG leaders marks another decisive step in our campaign to dismantle the cartels,” Blanche said in a statement.

Federal officials described CJNG as one of the most powerful and violent drug trafficking organizations operating in Mexico and internationally. The Justice Department said the cartel has been involved in trafficking large quantities of narcotics, including cocaine and methamphetamine, into the United States.

The State Department designated CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization on Feb. 20, 2025. Federal officials said that following the reported death of longtime CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” during a Mexican military operation in February 2026, Valencia González allegedly assumed a leadership role within the organization.

The State Department increased the reward for information leading to Valencia González’s arrest and/or conviction to up to $25 million. Prosecutors previously charged him with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine and methamphetamine intended for illegal importation into the United States, as well as firearms-related offenses.

A reward of up to $15 million was announced for information leading to Flores Silva’s conviction. Federal prosecutors previously charged Flores Silva with drug trafficking, firearms offenses and money laundering-related crimes. Officials said he was arrested in Mexico in April 2026.

According to the Justice Department, if convicted of the charges filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., Valencia González and Flores Silva could face up to two consecutive life sentences.

Federal prosecutors also announced newly unsealed charges against five additional alleged senior CJNG members: Montero Pinzón, Rivera Varela, Mendoza Gaytán, Ruiz Velasco and Castillo Rodríguez.

Court filings allege that Montero Pinzón and Rivera Varela founded and led the “Grupo Elite,” an armed faction that prosecutors describe as CJNG’s enforcement group. The filings allege the group was involved in protecting cartel territories, carrying out attacks and recruiting armed members.

Prosecutors allege Mendoza Gaytán was involved in obtaining weapons, training cartel members and overseeing operations in several CJNG-controlled areas.

Court documents also allege Ruiz Velasco held a leadership position within CJNG operations, including overseeing drug trafficking activities, weapons acquisition, alleged bribery operations and enforcement activities.

Castillo Rodríguez is accused by prosecutors of overseeing CJNG operations in Colima, Mexico, including alleged drug transportation, financial activities and the purchase of chemicals used in methamphetamine production.

The indictments allege the five defendants participated in conspiracies involving the production and distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl destined for the United States. Prosecutors also allege firearms, including machine guns and other weapons, were used in connection with the alleged crimes.

The State Department announced rewards of up to $15 million each for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of Mendoza Gaytán and Castillo Rodríguez. Rewards of up to $10 million each were announced for Montero Pinzón, Rivera Varela and Ruiz Velasco.

Federal authorities also announced a $2 million reward for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Arredondo Pinzón.

Prosecutors allege Arredondo Pinzón, along with Montero Pinzón and Rivera Varela, participated in an international fraud scheme targeting U.S. citizens who owned timeshare properties in Mexico.

According to the Justice Department, the alleged scheme involved wire fraud and money laundering. A superseding indictment filed in the Eastern District of New York charges Montero Pinzón and Rivera Varela with additional offenses, including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

If convicted on the fraud-related charges, Arredondo Pinzón, Montero Pinzón and Rivera Varela could face up to 20 years in prison for each count, according to federal prosecutors.

The timeshare fraud investigation is being conducted by the FBI New York Field Office, DEA New York Division, IRS Criminal Investigation, and CBP, with support from other federal agencies. Narcotics and firearms investigations are being led by DEA and HSI.

The cases are being prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Fraud Section’s Health Care and Consumer Protection-related prosecutors, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Federal officials said the actions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, an interagency effort focused on investigating and prosecuting criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, financial crimes and other transnational criminal activity.

Authorities did not provide additional details regarding the current locations of the eight fugitives. They encouraged anyone with information about the individuals to contact U.S. law enforcement agencies.