• Drug Traffic
• Mexico
• Trump 2025-2029
• USA

Mexico City, Apr 27 (EFE).-

Mexican Army Special Forces and the National Guard arrested César Alejandro “N,” alias El Güero Conta, on Monday, identifying him as the alleged financial operator of Audias Flores Silva, or “El Jardinero,” who was captured hours earlier and is accused of being one of the leaders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Authorities had offered a $5 million reward for Flores Silva.

“Today in Zapopan, Jalisco, Army Special Forces and the National Guard arrested César Alejandro ‘N,’ alias ‘El Güero Conta,’ identified as the financial operator of Audias Flores Silva, alias ‘El Jardinero,’ regional chief of the CJNG,” Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection Omar García Harfuch said in a post on social media.

García Harfuch said El Güero Conta is accused of laundering proceeds from illicit activities through front companies and straw owners, as well as acquiring aircraft, boats, homes and ranches, and investing in tequila production companies.

“This arrest represents a significant blow to the financial structure of that criminal group,” García Harfuch said, adding that security agencies are carrying out ongoing actions “to weaken criminal organizations and bring those responsible for violence to justice.”

Flores Silva was arrested in the western state of Nayarit, a region with a strong CJNG presence, about two months after the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or “El Mencho,” in a military operation. Flores Silva had been considered a possible successor.

Authorities said Flores Silva was subject to an arrest warrant in Mexico and is wanted by U.S. authorities for extradition. The operation was “planned, developed and executed” by personnel from Mexico’s Navy, García Harfuch said earlier.

Media reports citing the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration have described Flores Silva, 45, as a former head of security for Oseguera Cervantes. The U.S. Department of the Treasury previously said he controlled large areas of Mexico’s Pacific coast, including Nayarit, and accused him of trafficking large quantities of opioids and cocaine.

U.S. authorities have also said Flores Silva faces an extradition request on charges of criminal conspiracy related to drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms, as well as a 2024 rearrest warrant in Mexico for homicide.

Mexican security agencies said they believe Flores Silva controlled methamphetamine laboratories, clandestine airstrips and small aircraft, as well as cargo trucks and passenger vehicles used to transport cocaine, heroin and other drugs from Central America into Mexico and onward to distribution cells in the United States, including California, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Washington and Virginia. EFE

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