Andrew M. Luger, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota
A Mexican national, Charly Cruz-Jimenez, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy across Minnesota and surrounding areas. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
Cruz-Jimenez, aged 40, was deported from the United States to Mexico in 2018 after serving a sentence for a controlled substance violation. Despite his deportation, he organized and led a drug trafficking organization that operated from Matamoros, Mexico, distributing methamphetamine within the United States through electronic messaging and using runners for delivery.
The investigation into Cruz-Jimenez began with the arrest of one of his customers, Nicholas Horak. Law enforcement discovered that between October 2021 and March 2022, Cruz-Jimenez sold approximately 32-34 pounds of methamphetamine to Horak. An undercover officer established contact with him using information obtained from Horak's phone.
During interactions with the undercover officer over 16 months, Cruz-Jimenez revealed affiliations with the Sureños gang and the Gulf Cartel. He also shared images indicating involvement in territorial conflicts with rival cartels.
In August 2023, Cruz-Jimenez illegally reentered the U.S., leading to his arrest following discussions about increasing drug transactions. Before being transferred to Minnesota for trial on charges related to drug distribution conspiracy, he pleaded guilty to illegal reentry in Texas.
Judge Eric C. Tostrud presided over the sentencing at U.S. District Court.
This case was investigated by several agencies including the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), DEA, Ramsey County Sheriff's Office among others. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan H. Nelson and Bradley M. Endicott.
