Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Jesus Guzman-Castro Allegedly Directed the Distribution of Thousands of Kilograms of Cocaine
Jesus Guzman-Castro, also known as “Chuy,” “El Narizon” and “Pinocho” was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Cho at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn on an indictment charging him with participating in a large-scale cocaine distribution conspiracy. The defendant, a Mexican citizen, was arrested in Mexico on a provisional arrest request issued from the Eastern District of New York and subsequently transferred from Mexico to the United States on August 12, 2025 pursuant to Mexico’s National Security Law. Guzman-Castro was ordered detained pending trial.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA New York), made the announcement.
“As alleged, Guzman-Castro was a senior member of the Sinaloa Cartel, a prolific and violent drug trafficking organization that has flooded American streets with deadly narcotics for decades,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Guzman-Castro will now face justice in a courtroom in the United States for all the harm his actions have wrought. The total elimination of drug cartels is a national priority, and the Department of Justice and our Office are fully committed to carrying out that objective.”
Mr. Nocella also expressed his appreciation to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, DEA’s Rocky Mountain Division, DEA’s office in Mexico City, the United States Marshals Service, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the Government of Mexico.
“The arrest and transfer of Jesus Guzman-Castro is the result of the relentless efforts of the DEA and our law enforcement partners to dismantle the most dangerous drug trafficking organizations” stated DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Tarentino. “For decades, Guzman-Castro helped flood American streets with deadly narcotics, and the DEA remains committed to pursuing those who threaten the safety and well-being of our communities.”
As set forth in the indictment and court filings, Guzman-Castro was a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel, a violent Mexican drug trafficking organization that was previously led by Ismael Zambada Garcia, also known as “El Mayo,” and Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera, also known as “El Chapo.” As a senior member of the Sinaloa Cartel, Guzman-Castro oversaw numerous underlings, including armed gunmen, transporters of narcotics, and money launderers. For years, the defendant directed the trafficking of thousands of kilograms of cocaine and the laundering of millions of dollars in drug proceeds. Guzman-Castro is charged with participating in an international cocaine distribution conspiracy from December 2015 through March 2021. Guzman-Castro sourced thousands of kilograms of cocaine from drug trafficking organizations in Guatemala and then arranged for the transportation of the cocaine through Mexico and into the United States.
The charge in the indictment is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces up to life in prison.
The prosecution of Guzman-Castro is the result of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the DEA. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Wang is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
JESUS GUZMAN-CASTRO (also known as “Chuy,” “El Narizon” and “Pinocho”)
Age: 56
Mexico
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-278 (FB)