The right Naija news at your fingertips

US targets Sinaloa cartel leaders after El Mencho killing in Mexico

The bounty placed on the Arzate-García brothers by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs follows a similar offer for another Sinaloa Cartel leader, Juan José Ponce Félix, aka “El Ruso.”

The announcement comes after the killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, aka “El Mencho,” head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and one of the world’s most-wanted drug lords.

At the time of his death, the American government offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture, classifying him as a primary target for the DEA.

El Mencho died on February 22 after being wounded in a shootout with Mexican special forces in Tapalpa, Jalisco. His demise triggered chaos in more than 15 states in Mexico as cartel members went on a rampage.

They torched stores, commercial trucks, and gas stations, blocked major highways, and clashed with security forces, resulting in dozens of deaths, including at least 25 members of the National Guard.

Founded around 2009, the CJNG rose to become a powerful and violent criminal organization in Mexico, rivaling the Sinaloa Cartel. The Mexican-led operation that eliminated El Mencho reportedly utilized information from U.S. intelligence.

Related News