Jorge Iván Gastélum Ávila "El Cholo Ivan" Extradited to US

"Socalj" for Borderland Beat

The Attorney General's Office (FGR) in compliance with the extradition treaty with the United States, handed over to the government of that country Jorge Iván Gastélum Ávila, better known as "El Cholo Iván". 

"El Cholo Iván" is considered a fugitive who is required by the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, United States, for the crimes of criminal association, against health, as well as using, brandishing, and discharging a firearm. Mexican prosecutors had previously charged El Cholo Iván with unlawful possession of a firearm, homicide, and the assault of soldiers in 2013.

"El Cholo Iván" is accused of belonging to a criminal organization as one of the plaza bosses of the Sinaloa cartel; responsible for trafficking various amounts of drugs to the United States. He was handed over to the US authorities at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM).

“After the arrest in 2016 of the most prolific purveyor of violence within the Sinaloa Cartel, the extradition of “El Cholo Ivan” demonstrates HSI’s unwavering commitment in the fight against violent criminal organizations,” said HSI Arizona Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown. Without a doubt, many lives on both sides of the border have been spared now that he is on U.S. soil facing drug- and firearms-related charges. HSI thanks the government of Mexico and our law enforcement partners for countless hours working together to ensure this man is kept in custody, thus preventing an inevitable killing spree. Together, we will continue to dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel.”

Who is "El Cholo Iván"?

Jorge Iván Gastélum Ávila or Orso Iván Gastelum Cruz, as he was also known, was considered the right hand of "El Chapo" for whom he was head of security, as well as head of the Sinaloa cartel's hitmen.

"El Cholo Iván" was born in May 1981 in Badiraguato, Sinaloa. At the age of 14, he followed in the footsteps of his father and ventured into the world of drug trafficking as a "cobra dues", according to local media.

"El Cholo Iván" was arrested twice, in 2006 he was accused of homicide, and crimes against health in the form of possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. The security chief of "El Chapo" was detained in the Aguaruto prison, in Culiacán; however, he escaped in 2009 dressed as a woman.

After his escape, in January 2016 he was recaptured this time alongside his boss "El Chapo" Guzmán, after a SEMAR Marine operation in Los Mochis, Sinaloa.

In 2020, a control judge of the Almoloya de Juárez Federal Criminal Justice Center, in Edomex, issued an arrest warrant against "El Cholo Iván", this order for extradition purposes to the United States. Recently, a judge halted the extradition order to the US. Iván Gastelum promoted a new Amparo against his imminent surrender to the Americans after a Collegiate Court refused to grant him protection against his extradition. This stay would not last however as he was finally extradited on April 2, 2023.

US Charges

Gastelum Avila is charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana intending and knowing that those substances would be imported into the United States. 

He is also charged with knowingly and intentionally using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm, including a destructive device, during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Ivan faces a maximum penalty of life in prison for the drug conspiracy charge and a mandatory consecutive sentence of 30 years for the firearms offense. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Source La Silla Rota, FGR, ICE/HSI