A Mexican police officer: Security forces have now also arrested the successor to “El Mecho”.Image: keystone
He was considered a possible successor to the slain cartel boss “El Mencho”. Now “El Jardinero” is in custody.
04/29/2026, 05:0604/29/2026, 05:06
Mexican special forces have arrested one of the suspected leaders of the Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) drug cartel. Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero,” was arrested in the state of Nayarit. Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch confirmed this on Monday on the X platform.
There is an arrest warrant against Flores in Mexico. The US authorities also demanded the extradition of the “Gardener,” as the nickname “El Jardinero” can be translated into German. The US even offered a $5 million bounty for his capture.
Flores is said to have controlled large parts of the CJNG area along Mexico’s Pacific coast. He was considered a possible successor to cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” who was killed in a military operation at the end of February. The USA once even offered a reward of 15 million dollars for his capture.
Cartel plunges Mexico into spiral of violence
After the death of “El Mencho” there were retaliatory actions by the cartel in large parts of Mexico. Dozens of people were killed and foreign tourists were temporarily stranded in their hotels.
The CJNG is considered the crime syndicate with the largest area of influence in Mexico. The US government classifies it as a foreign terrorist organization. According to US information, the cartel is transnational – with connections as far as China and Australia.
In addition to trafficking in the opioid fentanyl, it is also involved in extortion, human smuggling, oil and mineral theft, and arms trafficking. It was founded by “El Mencho”. The ex-police officer led the cartel since at least 2011. (fwa)