Major recent cartel busts in Mexico are targeting high-level leadership and massive financial operations. Key crackdowns include the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader “El Mencho”, recent U.S. Treasury sanctions targeting cartel fuel-theft rings, and recent busts uncovering multi-ton cocaine and methamphetamine shipments. 

On By Surfman374

High-Profile Leadership and Enforcement Raids

  • Death of “El Mencho”: Mexican security forces killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the head of CJNG, in a major military raid. The operation, which had U.S. intelligence support, triggered widespread but temporary violence and blockades in states like Jalisco and beyond. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • Key Arrests: Mexican Navy special forces arrested Audias Flores Silva (also known as “The Gardener”), a high-ranking CJNG leader and a primary successor to “El Mencho”. [1]

Financial and Operational Crackdowns

  • U.S. Treasury Sanctions: The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned multiple individuals and businesses connected to a cartel-linked fuel theft ring, generating tens of millions of dollars annually for CJNG. [1]
  • Extortion and Assets: Mexican authorities previously conducted broad sweeps seizing exotic animals, armored vehicles, and properties linked to cartel-run extortion rackets. [1]

Major Narcotics Interceptions

  • Multi-Ton Drug Busts: Security forces confiscated over 3 metric tons of cocaine in Guerrero and Tlaxcala, an operation experts believe was driven by a spike in cartel trafficking to supply demand surrounding the World Cup. [1]
  • Methamphetamine Seizures: Customs and border authorities continue to intercept large cross-border shipments, including a recent discovery of more than 7,000 pounds of suspected methamphetamine in Texas-bound transport and secret smuggling tunnels in California.

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