Jalisco Cartel Member 'El Ceviches' Sent To Trial After Escaping Twice From The Same Prison As 'El Chapo'

After being at-large for 16 days, Mexican authorities have secured the arrest of Cesar Fabián "N", alias "El Ceviches," an alleged high-ranking member of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación commanded by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho."

"El Ceviches" has a long history with the law, having escaped from the Puente Grande prison twice —once in 2001 and the latest one during Christmas Day of 2024—. According to local news outlets, "El Ceviches" was able to escape from Puente Grande, the same infamous maximum security prison from which Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán escaped in 2001, during visiting hours.

Before his second escape he had been imprisoned since July 2020 on aggravated kidnapping and organized crime charges. He will now be prosecuted again after a federal judge sentenced him to trial on four federal crimes including possession of a firearm, possession of cartridges, crimes against public health and use of false documents. He will remain in pre-trial detention at Puente Grande.

Local reports suggested of a possible implication of other convicts in the second escape, especially as guards noticed irregular activities during visiting hours. So far, four suspects have been detained and await their hearings.

Considered as a dangerous and violent individual, "El Ceviches" is linked to the kidnapping of six people back in November of 2019. Authorities then seized properties linked to his criminal organization that were used as safe houses in Guadalajara and Zapopan, territory under the control of the CJNG.

Recent arrests to CJNG members

"El Ceviches" is the second high-ranking member linked to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación who has been arrested in recent weeks.

Cristian Fernando Gutiérrez Ochoa, son-in-law of "El Mencho," was arrested in Riverside, California where he had been residing for months under a fake name after running away from Mexico.

Authorities say the 37-year-old faked his own death and fled to the U.S. as Mexican officials linked him to the kidnappings of Navy personnel in 2021. Reports suggest that "El Mencho" pretended to "kill him" and helped Gutiérrez Ochoa flee to the U.S. to reunite with the cartel leader's daughter.

"El Mencho's" son-in-law is accused of trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine to the U.S.

He is also wanted in Mexico for federal crimes after kidnapping two Navy soldiers in 2021 as a way to negotiate the release of "El Mencho's" wife when allegedly she was arrested by Mexican authorities.