Mexican Judge Linked to the CJNG Wants to Know if He Has a Pending US Extradition Request

"Morogris" for Borderland Beat

Isidro Avelar Gutiérrez is imprisoned in the state of Nayarit, where the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) holds a strong influence.

Mexican ex-judge Isidro Avelar Gutierrez issued a motion to a Mexican tribunal court to determine if the US Embassy in Mexico City has a pending extradition request against him.

Avelar Gutierrez was federal judge and public servant who the U.S. government accuses of having ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). He is suspected of receiving bribes in exchange for favorable court rulings to senior CJNG members.

The tribunal court did not immediately answer Avelar Gutierrez's request, but they said they would provide him with one in the next few days.

The prosecution alleges that Avelar Gutierrez generated over $12.2 million pesos (approximately US$604,350) from illegal streams. Earlier this year, Borderland Beat reported that presiding judge Juan Miguel Ortiz Marmolejo from the State of Mexico said that the case presented was strong enough to take Avelar Gutiérrez to trial.

He is currently imprisoned at the Federal Social Readaptation Center No. 4 (also known as "El Rincon"), a maximum-security prison in the state of Nayarit. He was approved to be imprisoned there because the judge said it was safer for him and closer to him. 

CJNG links

In May 2019, the U.S. government assured that Avelar Gutiérrez had ties with the CJNG and its financial cell Los Cuinis. They said he was collaborating with the former Governor of Nayarit, Roberto Sandoval Castañeda. The latter was specifically accused of misappropriation of state assets and of receiving bribes just like Avelar Gutiérrez.

“Officials such as Isidro Avelar Gutierrez and Roberto Sandoval Castañeda callously enrich themselves at the expense of their fellow citizens.  Whether they are receiving bribes from narcotics trafficking organizations or engaging in a variety of other illicit activities, these and other corrupt officials will face serious consequences including being cut off from the U.S. financial system,” the U.S. Department of the Treasury said in a statement.

Avelar Gutiérrez was arrested in Guadalajara, Jalisco, in November 2019 by elements of the FGR. The Federal Judicial Council (CJF) detected payment irregularities and additional income that do not correspond to his role as a public servant.

Sources: Noticias NRT; Milenio;