Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Servando Gomez-Martinez, also known as "La Tuta," has been taken into U.S. custody on charges of conspiring to import cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States. The announcement was made by Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Frank A. Tarentino, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Gomez-Martinez was transferred from Mexico to the United States on August 12, 2025, under Mexico’s National Security law and will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo.
According to authorities, Gomez-Martinez served as a leader and public spokesman for La Familia Michoacana (LFM), a drug trafficking organization based in Michoacan, Mexico. The group is alleged to have imported large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States while engaging in violence against law enforcement officials who opposed them.
“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.”
Authorities allege that LFM controlled drug manufacturing and distribution within Michoacan as well as a key port used for shipping drugs into the United States. LFM reportedly prohibited local sale or use of methamphetamine within its territory but directed members that all methamphetamine produced was intended for export northward.
Gomez-Martinez is accused of making public statements on behalf of LFM and taking actions to prevent law enforcement interference with cartel operations while also acquiring weapons for use by LFM members. Under his leadership, LFM allegedly used violence—including assault, murder, and kidnapping—to support narcotics trafficking efforts.
On July 17, 2009—shortly after twelve Mexican federal police officers were found dead—Gomez-Martinez gave a recorded statement acknowledging his membership in LFM and describing ongoing conflict with Mexican authorities.
Gomez-Martinez is among more than two dozen fugitives recently transferred from Mexico facing various federal or state charges across the U.S., including offenses related to drug-trafficking, hostage-taking, kidnapping, illegal firearms use, human smuggling, money laundering, murder of a sheriff’s deputy, among others.
The charge against Gomez-Martinez carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment with a maximum possible sentence of life if convicted; sentencing will ultimately be determined by a judge.
Jay Clayton praised investigative work by multiple DEA field divisions as well as assistance from other agencies including Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and cooperation from Mexican authorities.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel G. Nessim, Henry L. Ross, and Kyle A. Wirshba from the National Security and International Narcotics Unit at the Southern District office.
The indictment is an accusation only; Gomez-Martinez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
