Recent military operations by the Mexican Navy have significantly impacted the notorious Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG). The capture of two top cartel leaders comes after the military, in collaboration with U.S. intelligence, executed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the cartel’s founder, earlier this year.
The operations commenced on Monday in Nayarit, close to El Mirador, aiming to apprehend Audias “El Jardinero” Diaz Flores. This individual is reported to have been El Mencho’s security chief and main enforcer. According to sources, CJNG is among six Mexican drug cartels classified as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. government.
The Mexican Navy, with support from U.S. federal agencies and local law enforcement, had spent 19 months gathering intelligence on Díaz-Flores. Authorities noted the cartel leader was concealed in a remote area, guarded by over 60 armed men, along with more than 30 vehicles for escape.
A substantial force from the Navy was deployed, which included numerous naval infantry and military helicopters. Upon arrival at the targeted location, El Jardinero and his armed associates fled without engaging with the heavily armed troops.
An extensive search led to the discovery of El Jardinero hiding in an irrigation canal. Officials reported that there was no gunfire during the operation.
Following his arrest, CJNG gunmen in Nayarit attempted to create barricades and set fire to vehicles to disrupt El Jardinero’s transfer, hoping to influence the government for his release. Their efforts were in vain, as authorities successfully extradited him to Mexico City, where he faces federal drug trafficking charges. Additionally, Diaz-Flores is also facing multiple drug trafficking charges in the U.S.
Meanwhile, another group of federal troops was tracking down Cesar Alejandro “El Guero Conta,” described as El Jardinero’s close associate and the primary financial operator of CJNG.
