Juan Carlos González Pérez, Leader of a Criminal Organization That Trafficked Drugs from Campeche to the U.S., Arrested by Interpol; DEA Used a Facebook Informant to Set a Trap
The alias “Campeche” used by González Pérez recalls the nicknames featured in the famous Netflix series Money Heist, where the criminals identified themselves with code names based on cities.
The United States identified a criminal organization that, since 2020, had been trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine from Campeche and distributing it in Iowa and Nebraska through drug transactions arranged via Facebook.
González Pérez, 38, one of the alleged leaders of the criminal group, was arrested on May 27 in Campeche by Interpol Mexico agents based on a provisional arrest warrant for extradition purposes.
The U.S. Department of Justice requested his extradition so he could stand trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa on a charge of conspiracy to possess and intend to distribute methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth.
González, born in 1988, was known among his accomplices by the alias “Campeche” and also used the names Fabián Andrade, Juan Carlos González, or simply Fabián.
The alleged leader of the criminal cell was transferred to the Reclusorio Oriente prison, and one week later informed Judge Patricia Sánchez Nava that he would not contest his extradition.
The Judicial Document Describes the Capture of Juan Carlos, Alias “Campeche”
Thanks to testimony from accomplices who cooperated with authorities and the lawful interception of communications, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) identified him as one of the leaders of the criminal organization.
“An investigation by law enforcement authorities identified a drug trafficking organization (‘DTO’) based in Campeche, Mexico, which, from at least October 2020 through approximately March 25, 2025, was responsible for importing large quantities of methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States for distribution, as well as transporting drug trafficking proceeds from the United States back to Mexico,” the extradition file states.
“Law enforcement authorities determined that González Pérez was responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States for further distribution throughout the north-central region of the country, specifically including the metropolitan areas of Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa,” the document states.
How the DEA Set a Trap Through Facebook
González was identified three years ago after coordinating the sale of one pound of methamphetamine to a DEA informant.
On June 13, 2023, a confidential source controlled by the DEA (“CS”) contacted González through Facebook Messenger, without the Mexican suspect knowing that it was a controlled purchase.
The operation became the key lead that allowed the DEA to fully identify the man now facing extradition.
The buyer, a DEA informant, communicated with González through Facebook Messenger to arrange a meeting with González’s associate, who would deliver the methamphetamine.
As a result of this controlled purchase, the DEA obtained the supplier’s vehicle license plate number and placed the vehicle under covert surveillance two days later.
Authorities legally searched the vehicle and found one pound of methamphetamine.
After inspecting a hidden compartment, they discovered another 30 pounds of the same synthetic drug along with approximately $25,000 in cash, equivalent to about half a million Mexican pesos.
According to U.S. authorities, González was responsible for supervising the preparation of hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine in Mexico and organizing its transportation into the United States using vehicles.
Source: yucatan
