DEA Fugitive Jesus “Chuy” González Penuelas Targeted with New US Sanctions
DEA Fugitive Jesus “Chuy” González Penuelas Targeted with New US Sanctions
DEA Headquarters
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On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, DEA and the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions towards greater than a dozen people and entities, to incorporate new sanctions towards DEA fugitive Jesus González Penuelas, aka “Chuy” González.
Chuy González leads a community accused of trafficking illicit medication into the United States and laundering cash for the Sinaloa Cartel, a US designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) that has largely been liable for the illicit fentanyl disaster throughout the United States.
Chuy González has allegedly been producing and distributing methamphetamine and heroin into the United States since 2007. He can be accused of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl.
In 2021, the US District Court for the Southern District of California unsealed an indictment returned in 2017 charging González with conspiracy to distribute managed substances meant for importation and conspiracy to import managed substances. Also in 2021, the US District Court for the District of Colorado unsealed an indictment returned in 2018 charging González with conspiracy to fabricate, possession with intent to distribute, and distribute managed substances meant for importation.
Chuy González operates primarily in Sinaloa, Mexico with US-based distribution cells in California, Texas, Colorado, Washington, Utah, and Nevada. In May 2021, OFAC recognized him a Significant Foreign Narcotics Trafficker pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act for his function in fueling the opioid epidemic within the United States. This designation serves to discourage the drug trafficking group’s use of the US monetary system to launder illicit proceeds derived from narcotics gross sales.
In January 2024, DEA launched a brand new tip line particular to info associated to Chuy González and his associates, in conjunction with a US Department of State reward announcement of as much as $5 million for info resulting in his arrest and/or conviction. The tip line may be accessed by calling/texting/WhatsApp 720-355-0168 or by emailing Chuy-Reward@dea.gov. Identities are saved strictly confidential.
