Few modern drug lords have risen as quickly—or as violently—as Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known in law enforcement records as “El Mencho.” For years, both Mexican and U.S. authorities have described him as one of the most powerful drug traffickers in the world, with a sprawling criminal network spanning multiple continents and a $15 million bounty on his head.
Born in Michoacán, Mexico, in the farming community of El Naranjo, Oseguera Cervantes reportedly moved to the United States at a young age. There, he married into the “Cuinis” gang, led by his brother-in-law Abigael González Valencia, also known as “El Cuini.” After serving three years in prison for heroin trafficking, he was deported back to Mexico.
Upon his return, Oseguera Cervantes became involved with organized crime and eventually joined the Milenio Cartel, which was active in drug trafficking. When the Milenio Cartel fractured, he founded the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in 2009, which quickly grew into one of Mexico’s most dominant criminal organizations.
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Expansion of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel
Under Oseguera Cervantes’ leadership, the CJNG expanded aggressively, using violence and strategic alliances to consolidate power. The cartel reportedly trafficked large volumes of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl into the United States, while also extending its operations across Latin America, Asia, and Europe.
In under two decades, Oseguera Cervantes built a vast criminal network with thousands of members. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the CJNG is active in 21 of Mexico’s 32 states, and Mexican authorities report that the cartel operates in 36 countries worldwide.