Chicago's Most Wanted: Chicago-based Mexican drug trafficker
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CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
This investigation involved the Chicago-based cell of a Mexican drug cartel known as the Zetas. After a grand jury indicted a group of suspects, the FBI arrested some, but others managed to disappear.
This week's Most Wanted is a man by the name of Aureliano Montoya-Pena, or Jesse Montoya as he was known on the street.
Jesse Montoya is charged with conspiracy to sell and distribute a controlled substance, in this case at least five kilograms of cocaine. He was one of 20 Chicago defendants charged last November as part of this investigation, known as Operation Gas Leak.
Most of the suspects were arrested when the indictments were unsealed last November, but Montoya is one of a handful who remains at large.
The Zetas cartel is accused of smuggling more than 500 pounds of cocaine and heroin from Mexico into the US, coming into the states through Laredo, Texas and on to the Chicago area.
As part of the investigation FBI and DEA agents seized more than $12 million in cash that was being shipped back to Mexico. All of that money is believed to have been generated by drug sales.
The FBI is not sure where Montoya might be hiding. It says he may have fled the country to avoid facing the charges, or he could be in the Laredo, Texas area where the Zetas cartel has connections.
But Montoya could very well be back in the Chicago area because this is where he was operating and he knows people who might be helping him stay out of sight.
The FBI is asking for help from Fox Chicago viewers to track him down.
Here is a description of Aureliano Montoya-Pena, otherwise known as Jesse Montoya.
He is an Hispanic male.
43 years old.
He's 5' 7'' and weighs about 140 pounds.
He has black hair and brown eyes.
He has a scar on his right arm.
He often goes by the name "Jesse" montoya.
He is considered armed and dangerous, if you see him call police.
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