CJNG and the Influx of Drugs into California
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration states that the drug trafficking network of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," has contributed to the surge in meth and fentanyl addiction in Los Angeles, leading to a homelessness crisis in areas like Skid Row.
Bill Bodner, former DEA Special Agent in Charge for Los Angeles, stated on Fox 11 in 2020 that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) — the organization led by Oseguera Cervantes — plays a significant role in the influx of drugs into California. He said CJNG is one of the most active cartels in terms of trafficking and violence, directly impacting local communities.
El Mencho Eliminated in Jalisco
According to Mexican Secretary of Defense Ricardo Trevilla, Oseguera Cervantes was eliminated on Sunday after intelligence forces tracked him to a secluded resort in Tapalpa, Jalisco state. His death ignited violence in at least 20 of Mexico's 31 states. The U.S. Department of State issued a shelter-in-place warning for Puerto Vallarta and several other areas.
Rise After El Chapo's Capture
Oseguera Cervantes rose to power after Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán was captured and recaptured between 2014 and 2016. Bodner noted that Oseguera Cervantes ran the organization with a "disciplined and business-focused" approach, unlike Guzmán's ostentatious image.
No Immediate Threat to Los Angeles
Federal officials in Los Angeles stated that no credible threats to the city have been recorded following the cartel leader's death. Federal prosecutor Bill Essayli said agencies are closely monitoring the situation.
Before becoming a highly sought-after drug lord, Oseguera Cervantes lived in San Francisco for a period and was deported multiple times in the 1980s–1990s. The DEA believes that the cross-border flow of drugs helped CJNG expand its influence, with Los Angeles being a crucial transit and consumption point.
