He'd been sought since 2009
The Pima County Sheriff's Department has arrested Alejandro Guerena, who is believed to be the leader of the Guerena Drug Trafficking Organization.
Pima County detectives first became aware of the organization in 2009 and had sought Guerena since then. In May 2011, several search warrants were obtained and served at several different homes controlled by the organization.
Investigators became aware that Guerena, a US citizen, was in Hermosillo, the capital of the Mexican state of Sonora. Pima County detectives enlisted the help of the US Marshals Service, which has a Mexico Liaison unit. That unit tracked down Guerena and arrested him, then turned him over to Pima County detectives at the Nogales border crossing.
Three other people, all related to Guerena by marriage, were previously arrested. One other person is still being sought.
Guerena was jailed on 21 counts of money laundering, as well as charges of illegally conducting a criminal enterprise, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to commit possession of marijuana for sale.
