US Government Places Up to $5 Million Bounty on Cartel Boss

Mexican National Fugitive Jesus Gonzalez Penuelas
"Up to $5 Million Reward Offered for Related Information"

The U.S. government has attracted attention by offering a huge reward exceeding 6 billion won for the arrest of a major drug criminal in Mexico.

On the 17th (local time), the U.S. Department of State issued a press release stating, "We will pay up to $5 million (approximately 6.7 billion won) for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Jes?s Gonz?lez Pe?uelas, a wanted Mexican national."

He is known locally in Mexico by the nickname "Chuy Gonz?lez." The U.S. Department of State revealed that Chuy Gonz?lez leads an organization involved in the distribution and production of drugs such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. It is also known that Chuy Gonz?lez has been involved in the smuggling and sale of fentanyl pills (M-30), which are considered a major drug to be eradicated internationally, including in the United States. Fentanyl is a powerful narcotic analgesic 50 times stronger than heroin and is called the "zombie drug." The U.S. Department of State stated, "Chuy Gonz?lez is currently indicted on charges including drug trafficking in two courts, in Colorado and Southern California."

Mexican national wanted fugitive Jesus Gonzalez Penuelas. [Image source=CNN·U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration]

Meanwhile, the U.S. government has been operating the "Narcotics Rewards Program" (NRP) under the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Bureau of the Department of State since 1986 to eradicate drugs. So far, the total amount of rewards paid to informants leading to arrests and convictions has reached $170 million (approximately 227.7 billion won). The U.S. government generally offers rewards around $5 million (approximately 6.7 billion won) for dangerous criminals, including drug trafficking and crime organization leaders.

Previously, during the escape incident of Joaqu?n Guzm?n Loera, known as the "Drug Kingpin of Mexico," the same amount of reward was set. Guzm?n escaped by hiding in a laundry cart just before the extradition order to the United States was issued in January 2001. Authorities indicted him on charges including extortion and drug trafficking and offered a $5 million reward to capture him.

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