(COLORADO) — On Jan. 17 the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Rocky Mountain Field Division announced a reward offer of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Mexican national Jesus Gonzalez-Penuelas, also known as “Chuy” Gonzalez.
According to the DEA, Gonzalez’s drug production and trafficking organization is based in Northern Sinaloa, Mexico and has been a prominent source for heroin distribution throughout Colorado.
The DEA said it identified Gonzalez as a primary supplier of heroin in the western United States over a decade ago, just as Colorado experienced a spike in heroin-related overdose deaths. Specifically, Colorado saw heroin-related overdose deaths nearly double between 2013 and 2016. In 2016, Gonzalez was indicted on three counts by a grand jury in the District of Colorado.
Gonzalez is a 54-year old Mexican national with black hair and brown eyes. He is believed to be operating in Northern Sinaloa, Mexico. Additional information about Gonzalez can be found on the DEA website at Jesus Gonzalez-Penuelas (dea.gov) and information about the $5 million reward can be found on the U.S. Department of State website.
The DEA said its Rocky Mountain Field Division is working closely with the Mexico City Country Office, as well as the Special Operations Division to intake and investigate all new leads reported to a new tip line it hopes will lead investigators to Gonzalez.
The tip line can be accessed by calling or texting, or through WhatsApp, (720) 355-0168 or by emailing [email protected]. Identities are kept strictly confidential, the DEA said.
