Rocket launchers among military-grade equipment seized in raid that killed notorious Mexican cartel leader El Mencho
Rocket launchers capable of shooting down planes were among the arsenal seized by Mexican military forces in the daring raid that killed notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel boss “El Mencho.”Special forces also seized armored cars and heavy weaponry – which are often used on the battlefield rather than in law enforcement missions — as drug kingpin Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes was killed and the resort town of Puerto Vallarta fell under siege.The Mexican Air Force and National Guard also assisted special forces in Sunday’s probe, according to Fox News.Although the op was led by the Mexican military, a US military-led task force specializing in intelligence collection also played a role in “El Mencho’s” killing, as reported by Reuters.A dossier – containing information from US intelligence – was handed over to the Mexican government before the operation that was conducted in Tapalpa.
“El Mencho” was at the top of a list of US targets. Rocket launchers were seized more than 10 years after the powerful cartel used a rocket-propelled grenade to shoot down a Mexican military helicopter. The weapons had previously been seized from the CJNG cartel.In June 2023, Luis Cresencio Sandoval, the then-Mexican defense secretary, said five rocket launchers were found to be in the possession of the CJNG.Ex-cop and cartel mastermind “El Mencho” was injured during a shootout when Mexican special forces tried to capture him in Tapalpa.
Security forces were injured in the shootout. “El Mencho” was notorious for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to the US and a reward of up to $15 million was available for information leading to the drug lord’s arrest.The Trump administration declared the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organizationNarco gangs went on a rampage after news of El Mencho’s death circulated. Cartel henchmen blockaded highways with roadblocks, set cars ablaze and torched businesses as part of their retali...