Mexican Cartel Leader Servando Gomez-Martinez In U.S. Custody On Drug Importation Charge

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Frank A. Tarentino, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging SERVANDO GOMEZ-MARTINEZ, a/k/a “La Tuta,” with conspiring to import cocaine and methamphetamine into the U.S.  GOMEZ-MARTINEZ was taken into U.S. custody from Mexico yesterday and will be presented on the charge contained in the Indictment today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl.

“As alleged, Servando Gomez-Martinez was a leader, enforcer, drug trafficker, weapons supplier, and public spokesman for the violent drug trafficking organization, La Familia Michoacana, based in Mexico,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “La Familia Michoacana imported vast quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico and engaged in extensive violence in furtherance of its drug trafficking activities, including against those Mexican law enforcement officials who stood in its way.  This Office and our partners in the DEA are committed to bankrupting the cartels and bringing their leaders to justice.”

“The expulsion of Servando Gomez-Martinez marks a significant step in our fight against the world’s most violent and prolific drug trafficking organizations,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino.  “For years, Gomez-Martinez allegedly fueled the cocaine and methamphetamine trade that devastated communities across the United States, and the DEA remains committed to bringing such ruthless cartel leaders to justice.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment:[1]

GOMEZ-MARTINEZ was the operational chief of La Familia Michoacana (“LFM”), a powerful, violent drug trafficking organization based in the state of Michoacan, in southwestern Mexico.  LFM controlled drug manufacturing and distribution within and around the state of Michoacan, as well as a port that served as a key transshipment point for drug shipments.  LFM imported vast quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico.  In addition, LFM forbade the sale or use of methamphetamine in the areas under its control in Mexico, and instructed its members that its methamphetamine was solely for export to the United States.  GOMEZ-MARTINEZ made public statements on behalf of LFM and was responsible for, among other things, ensuring that LFM’s drug trafficking activities were not impeded by law enforcement, and for acquiring weapons for use by LFM.

Under the leadership of GOMEZ-MARTINEZ and others, LFM engaged in extensive violence, including assault, murder, and kidnapping to support its narcotics trafficking activities.  On or about July 17, 2009, days after the bodies of 12 Mexican federal police officers believed to have been murdered by LFM were discovered in Michoacan, GOMEZ-MARTINEZ gave a recorded statement to a local television station in Michoacan.  In the statement, GOMEZ-MARTINEZ publicly acknowledged that he was a member of LFM and, among other things, claimed that he was in charge of the port city of Lazaro Cardenas in Michoacan; that LFM was in a battle against the Mexican federal police and prosecutors; and that LFM kidnaps people who owe LFM money and those whose family members work in state and federal governments.

GOMEZ-MARTINEZ was transferred on August 12, 2025, from Mexico to the United States pursuant to Mexico’s National Security law.  He was among more than two dozen wanted fugitives facing a range of federal and state criminal charges from around the country, including charges relating to drug-trafficking, hostage-taking, kidnapping, illegal use of firearms, human smuggling, money laundering, the murder of a sheriff’s deputy, and other crimes.

*               *                *

GOMEZ-MARTINEZ, 59, a Mexican national, is charged with conspiring to import cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The mandatory minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s New York Field Division, Houston Field Division, and Mexico City Country Office, as well as the assistance of the Office of International Affairs of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Government of Mexico.

This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel G. Nessim, Henry L. Ross, and Kyle A. Wirshba are in charge of the prosecution.

The charge contained in the Indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.