The US increases the reward for information to capture ‘El Mencho’ to $15 million dollars

• US Increases Reward for Capture of El Mencho.
• State Department Targets Drug Trafficking.
• Nemesio Oseguera’s Operations in the U.S.

The United States has intensified efforts to capture Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, alias «El Mencho.»

He is the leader of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).

On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department announced an increase in the reward for information leading to his capture, raising it from $10 million to $15 million.

According to EFE, El Mencho is considered one of the most wanted criminals in both Mexico and the United States.

US Escalates Search for El Mencho

El Mencho heads a violent cartel that plays a central role in trafficking drugs into the United States.

Since 2017, Oseguera Cervantes has faced multiple indictments in U.S. courts on charges related to drug trafficking.

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The latest charges, filed in April 2022, accuse him of operating a «continuing criminal enterprise.»

As well as conspiring to manufacture and distribute drugs, and using firearms for drug trafficking activities.

Today, @StateDept announces a reward increase of up to $15M for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of CJNG leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, a/k/a “El Mencho.” Information regarding El Mencho should be reported to the DEA. https://t.co/6eU7cUoLEI pic.twitter.com/ukNisDTUyC

— US Dept of State INL (@StateINL) December 4, 2024

The State Department emphasized the CJNG’s dominance, noting its presence in 24 of Mexico’s 32 states.

The cartel also maintains distribution hubs in major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta.

The DEA is actively pursuing not only El Mencho but also other CJNG leaders.

Such as Audias Flores Silva and Juan Carlos Valencia González.

Rewards of up to $5 million each have been offered for information leading to their arrests.

With guarantees of confidentiality for informants.

Based in Guadalajara, the CJNG has emerged as one of the most powerful and dangerous criminal organizations in Mexico.

The cartel is notorious for its drug trafficking activities and its defiance of law enforcement in both Mexico and the United States.

In addition to the U.S. reward, Mexican authorities are offering 30 million pesos (approximately $1.44 million) for information on El Mencho.

The increased reward underscores the U.S. commitment to combating drug trafficking.

Particularly the flow of fentanyl, which has fueled a crisis of overdoses across the country.

The CJNG’s involvement in fentanyl trafficking poses a significant public health threat in the United States.

This synthetic opioid is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and has been linked to thousands of overdose deaths.

DEA reports indicate that the cartel uses both land and maritime routes to smuggle fentanyl into the U.S., generating billions in revenue.

Despite joint efforts by Mexico and the U.S., capturing Oseguera Cervantes has proven difficult.

His protection network—comprising collaborators, hitmen, and corrupt officials—has thwarted multiple operations to locate him.

El Mencho has also become a symbol of the cartels’ ability to operate with impunity across vast regions of Mexico.

The increased reward complements coordinated actions between Mexico and the U.S. aimed at dismantling the CJNG.

This step reaffirms the U.S. government’s dedication to fighting drug trafficking.

And mitigating its devastating impact on communities on both sides of the border.

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