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El Mencho killed: 5 things to know about Mexican drug kingpin Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes known as 'El Mencho' the powerful leader of the and one of the world’s most wanted drug lords, has reportedly been killed in Mexico.
One of the world’s most feared and wanted drug lords, the Mexican cartel boss known as “El Mencho” has reportedly been killed in an operation by security forces, according to local reports.
According to Mexican media reports citing government sources, the cartel boss whose real name is Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes was killed on Sunday in the western state of Jalisco.
The 59-year old crime boss was the leader of Jalisco New Generation Cartel which in recent years has grown into one of Mexico’s most powerful and feared criminal groups.
His early life
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes was born on July 17, 1966 in Aguililla, Michoacán, Mexico. Then later he became one of the country’s most wanted fugitives.
Founder of CJNG
He established the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in 2009 which grew into one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent drug trafficking organizations. In February, the Trump administration designated CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization.
Most-wanted drug lord
He was one of the world’s most wanted fugitives with both Mexico and the United States offering large rewards for information leading to his capture. In the US, a $15 million reward was offered by the State Department.
Highly violent and aggressive cartel
Under his leadership, the CJNG expanded its reach. CJNG has been known as one of the most aggressive cartels in Mexico. It has carried out attacks on military forces including targeting helicopters and has used advanced tactics such as launching explosives from drones and planting mines. In 2020, the cartel was behind a major assassination attempt in Mexico City using grenades and high-powered rifles against the then head of the capital’s police force who is now Mexico’s federal security chief.
US criminal indictments
He was charged several times in the United States, including in a federal court in Washington, DC. The charges included drug trafficking, gun-related crimes and running a large criminal organization. US authorities accused him of leading the smuggling of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl into the country on a massive scale.
