US Targets CJNG Leadership with Expanded Rewards, Visa Restrictions

Why it matters locally: While no specific data directly links CJNG's operations to Iowa, federal agencies have identified the cartel as a major distributor of illicit fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, drugs that have impacted communities across the nation, including Iowa.

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WASHINGTON – The U.S. State Department has announced reward offers totaling up to $102 million for information pertaining to the arrests or convictions of eight individuals associated with the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). These rewards fall under the Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP) and the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP). This initiative involves coordination with the Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the National Coordination Center. The State Department previously designated CJNG as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) last year. Federal agencies have identified CJNG as an organization involved in the distribution of illicit fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. The reward offers include a $25 million increase for Juan Carlos Valencia González, also known as “Pelón,” whom authorities identify as the new leader of CJNG. The department increased rewards for Audias Flores Silva, known as “Jardinero,” to $15 million. Separate $15 million rewards are available for Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán, known as “Sapo,” and Julio Alberto Castillo Rodríguez, also known as “Chorro.” Rewards of up to $10 million each are offered for Ricardo Ruiz Velasco, known as “Tripa,” Julio César Montero Pinzón, known as “El Tarjetas,” and Carlos Andrés Rivera Varela, known as “La Firma.” Authorities offer up to $2 million for Griselda Margarita Arredondo Pinzón. In addition to the rewards, the State Department has imposed visa restrictions on 65 individuals. These individuals are identified as family members or business associates of those sanctioned under Executive Order 14059, which addresses the global illicit drug trade. Twenty-six of these individuals held existing visas, which have been revoked. Since June 2025, 93 visas have been revoked from family members and associates connected to FTO-designated cartels. The Department of Justice simultaneously unsealed charges against Mendoza Gaytán, Castillo Rodríguez, Ruiz Velasco, Montero Pinzón, and Rivera Varela. The NRP, established in 1986, and the TOCRP have collectively resulted in the apprehension of over 90 individuals and the disbursement of more than $200 million in rewards for information. Authorities encourage individuals with information on Valencia González, Mendoza Gaytán, Castillo Rodríguez, or Ruiz Velasco to contact the DEA. For information on Montero Pinzón, Rivera Varela, or Arredondo Pinzón, individuals can contact the FBI. Information on Flores Silva can be provided to HSI. Officials state that all identities of informants are kept confidential.