Detectives with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Investigative Strike Team (FIST) received a notification from the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Arizona WANTED Task Force Mexican liaison that authorities in Mexico had apprehended Alejandro Ortiz Guerena in Hermosillo on January 18, 2013. Mexican authorities expelled Guerena and turned him over to the custody of the Marshals Service.
Pima County Sheriff’s Deputies took custody of Guerena from USMS at the Nogales port of entry. The Sheriff’s FIST Unit transported Guerena to the Pima County Adult Detention Center. There he was booked on a felony warrant for one count of Conspiracy to Commit Possession of Marijuana For Sale, one count of Illegally Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, one count of Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, one count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artificies and 21 counts of Money Laundering in the 2nd Degree.
Alejandro Ortiz Guerena was one of Pima County’s most wanted criminal suspects.
Guerena was wanted in connection with an investigation into the Guerena DTO (Drug Trafficking Organization) which was suspected of being involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. He was considered to be the leader of that organization.
The initial investigation by the Sheriff’s Special Investigations Unit dates back to 2009, when detectives became aware of the Guerena DTO and began investigative efforts. In May 2011, several search warrants were obtained and served at several different residences controlled by the Guerena DTO. Three others, all related to Guerena by marriage, had been arrested on similar charges.
The last person still outstanding from that organization is Gerardo Guerena, age 25. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office is asking that anybody with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to call 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME.