MONTERREY, Mexico: Mexico announced that its special forces arrested Audias Flores, one of the top commanders of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), also known as "El Jardinero", in the western state of Nayarit this week.
Security minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said Flores, a regional commander in control of swathes of CJNG territory along Mexico's Pacific coast, was considered a potential successor to Nemesio Oseguera, alias "El Mencho," who was killed in a security operation in February.
Security forces surrounded a cabin in El Mirador, about 20 km north of the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta, where Flores was hiding. Mexico's Navy said he was being protected by around 30 pickup trucks and more than 60 armed men.
His guards ran away to distract the forces, but Flores was found while trying to hide in a drainage ditch.
The Navy said the operation was carried out very carefully and no shots were fired.
Videos shared online showed helicopters flying overhead during the raid. The Navy said the operation came after 19 months of surveillance and involved more than 500 troops, six helicopters, and several planes.
A Mexican security official said the Navy also used intelligence from U.S. authorities, including aerial surveillance.
It is not yet clear if Flores will be charged in Mexico, but officials said the United States wants him extradited and has offered a US$5 million reward for his capture.
Later, Mexican authorities also arrested Cesar Alejandro N., known as "El Güero Conta," who they say helped Flores by laundering money.
Carlos Olivo, a former U.S. drug enforcement official, said Flores was an important figure and his arrest could hurt the Jalisco cartel even more than the death of its leader, El Mencho.
According to officials, Flores played a key role in the cartel, controlling drug labs, smuggling routes, and distribution networks in the United States.
Mexico has recently increased its security actions under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to take military action if Mexico does not do more to fight drug cartels.
The Trump administration has also warned of tariffs over concerns about fentanyl trafficking and migration. The U.S., Mexico, and Canada are currently reviewing their trade agreement.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said the arrest of a key CJNG leader is an important step in fighting drug trafficking and violence.
The U.S. Treasury had already identified Flores as a major drug trafficker in 2021, when he was charged with crimes including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin.
His arrest is the latest blow to Mexican cartels after the killing of El Mencho, which was a personal mission for Mexico's security chief, Garcia Harfuch, who blamed him for a 2020 attack that killed two of his bodyguards.
Flores was seen as a possible successor to lead the cartel.
Mexico's security situation is under close watch as the country prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup this summer with the United States and Canada.
