In an attempt to take down criminal cartels, the Mexican security forces have captured the wife country’s biggest drug cartel leader. As per reports, the spouse of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, famously known as “El Mencho”, was arrested on Wednesday.
El Mencho is the leader of the well-known Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). His wife, Rosalinda González accused of handling the CJNG’s finances.
The Mexican Ministry of Defense said she was captured in Zapopán, the same city where she was arrested in 2018.
She was released on bail pending money laundering charges after paying 1.5 million pesos (the U.S. $ 78,000).
El Mencho has been on the run for years. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration offers a $ 10m (£ 7.2m) reward for information leading to its collection.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is offering a $ 10m (£ 7.2m) reward for information leading to its collection.
The CJNG is one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels and is behind some of the most dangerous attacks ever happened by Mexican security forces, such as a 2015 attack in Jalisco that killed 15 officers.
It expanded from its original power base in the state of Jalisco to have an almost national presence.
Security authorities stated the group was also after the brutal attack on Mexico City police chief Omar García Harfuch last year.
On Tuesday, two Mexican Marines were abducted in a separate development in Zapopán. The Mexican government was concerned that this was linked to the arrest of Ms González, a Mexican official was quoted as saying by Reuters.
El Mencho has three children with Gonzalez, including their son, Little Mencho, whom the U.S. extradited in 2020 due to drug trafficking charges.
The cartel is believed to have intensified its attacks on security forces in retaliation for Menchito’s extradition. Earlier this year, police admitted it to drone attacks on their officers.