United States Drug Enforcement Administration

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, DEA and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against more than a dozen individuals and entities, to include new sanctions against DEA fugitive Jesus González Penuelas, aka “Chuy” González.

Chuy González leads a network accused of trafficking illicit drugs into the United States and laundering money for the Sinaloa Cartel, a U-S designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) that has largely been responsible for the illicit fentanyl crisis within the United States.

Chuy González has allegedly been producing and distributing methamphetamine and heroin into the United States since 2007. He is also accused of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl.

In 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California unsealed an indictment returned in 2017 charging González with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances intended for importation and conspiracy to import controlled substances. Also in 2021, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado unsealed an indictment returned in 2018 charging González  with conspiracy to manufacture, possession with intent to distribute, and distribute controlled substances intended for importation. 

Chuy González operates primarily in Sinaloa, Mexico with U.S.-based distribution cells in California, Texas, Colorado, Washington, Utah, and Nevada. In May 2021, OFAC identified him a Significant Foreign Narcotics Trafficker pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act for his role in fueling the opioid epidemic in the United States. This designation serves to deter the drug trafficking organization’s use of the U.S. financial system to launder illicit proceeds derived from narcotics sales.    

In January 2024, DEA launched a new tip line specific to information related to Chuy González and his associates, in conjunction with a U.S. Department of State reward announcement of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. The tip line can be accessed by calling/texting/WhatsApp 720-355-0168 or by emailing Chuy-Reward@dea.gov. Identities are kept strictly confidential.