Servando Gomez-Martinez, known as “La Tuta,” has been transferred from Mexico to the United States and faces charges of conspiring to import cocaine and methamphetamine into the country. The indictment was unsealed by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, alongside Frank A. Tarentino, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Gomez-Martinez is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo, with the case 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 allegations in the indictment, Gomez-Martinez served as operational chief for La Familia Michoacana (LFM), a major drug trafficking group based in Michoacan state in southwestern Mexico. LFM managed manufacturing and distribution operations within Michoacan and controlled a port used as a key transshipment point for drugs entering the United States from Mexico.
The indictment states that LFM banned methamphetamine sales or use within its territory but exported large amounts exclusively to U.S. markets. Gomez-Martinez also acted as public spokesperson for LFM and was responsible for ensuring that law enforcement did not interfere with cartel activities while acquiring weapons for LFM’s use.
Under his leadership, LFM reportedly used violence—including assault, murder, and kidnapping—to support narcotics operations. On July 17, 2009, after 12 Mexican federal police officers were found dead in Michoacan—a crime believed linked to LFM—Gomez-Martinez gave a televised statement acknowledging his role within LFM and describing control over Lazaro Cardenas port city while discussing conflicts with Mexican authorities.
Gomez-Martinez was transferred on August 12 under Mexico’s National Security law among more than two dozen fugitives wanted on various federal or state charges across multiple jurisdictions including drug-trafficking, hostage-taking, kidnapping, illegal firearms use, human smuggling, money laundering, murder of a sheriff’s deputy and other crimes.
He is charged with conspiracy to import cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States—a charge carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment up to life if convicted.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel G. Nessim, Henry L. Ross, and Kyle A. Wirshba from the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.
Mr. Clayton acknowledged contributions from several agencies including DEA field divisions in New York City https://www.dea.gov/divisions/new-york, Houston https://www.dea.gov/divisions/houston, Mexico City Country Office https://mx.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/mexico-city/sections-offices/dea/, Justice Department’s Criminal Division Office of International Affairs https://www.justice.gov/criminal-oia, U.S Marshals Service https://www.usmarshals.gov/, as well as cooperation from Mexican authorities.
The charge is an accusation; Gomez-Martinez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
