Mexico arrests suspect who transported “El Mencho’s” romantic partner to hide from drug trafficker

Mexican authorities arrested a suspected drug trafficker who played a key role in the raid that led to the death of the Mexican drug trafficker. Nemesio Oseguera last month, the Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

Oseguera, alias “El Mencho,” led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and it was mortally wounded in a raid by elite Mexican troops on February 22 after being seen with a woman at a country club in the western state of Jalisco.

The Mexican authorities detained José N, nicknamed “El Pepe”, who was in charge of transporting Oseguera’s romantic partner to a luxurious cabin in the municipality of Tapalpa, the Ministry of Defense reported in a statement.

The military intelligence services managed to locate Osguera after learning of his encounter, authorities said after the operation. Mexican Defense Secretary General Ricardo Trevilla previously said the exact location was confirmed by “very important additional information” provided by US intelligence.

“El Pepe” was considered one of the main logistics operators of the CJNG and was apprehended in the municipality of Tlajomulco, Jalisco.

“Drugs, weapons and a vehicle were confiscated from the detainee,” added the Ministry of Defense.

Oseguera was the most wanted man in Mexico and was also wanted by the United States, which offered a reward of 15 million dollars for him. It was “the number one priority for the DEA and, frankly, for federal law enforcement in the United States,” a top DEA agent in Mexico told News themezone in 2019.

After his death, CJNG members blocked roads in 20 of Mexico’s 32 states and set vehicles and businesses on fire, including in Guadalajara and the Jalisco resort of Puerto Vallarta.

More than 70 people, including 25 soldiers from the Mexican National Guarddied during the Oseguera capture operation and the subsequent clashes between security forces and CJNG gunmen.

Earlier this month, Oseguera was buried in a golden coffin with huge flower crowns and a large military presence.