On Monday, April 27th, Mexico’s Secretary of Public Security, Omar Garcia Harfuch, announced that the Mexican Special Forces successfully captured Audias Flores, also known as “El Jardinero,” a key figure of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in the western state of Nayarit.
Flores, a senior commander of the CJNG drug trafficking organization, not only controlled a significant territory along Mexico’s Pacific coast but was also seen as a potential successor to Nemesio Oseguera, also known as “El Mencho,” the former head of the CJNG and a previously top international drug lord.
El Mencho was killed in a joint Mexican official and military anti-drug operation in February of this year, with the United States providing intelligence support during the operation. Flores had been previously wanted by both Mexico and the United States, with the U.S. Treasury Department designating him as a “significant foreign narcotics trafficker” in 2021 and offering a $5 million reward for his capture.
The Mexican Navy revealed details of Flores’ arrest, stating that the operation involved surrounding a small house located about 20 kilometers north of the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, where Flores was protected by up to 30 pick-up trucks and over 60 armed individuals.
Through extensive intelligence gathering and precise interagency coordination, the operation resulted in the successful arrest of the primary target without a single shot being fired and no casualties, involving multiple helicopters, 120 special forces personnel, and 400 naval support personnel.
Secretary Harfuch also shared a video on social media showing helicopters monitoring the operation, praising the Mexican Navy’s planning and execution of the operation while honoring the military personnel involved for their courage, discipline, and dedication.
In addition, an unnamed Mexican security official revealed that the Mexican Navy also relied on aerial reconnaissance intelligence provided by U.S. authorities during the arrest operation.
It is currently unclear whether Flores will face trial in Mexico first. However, Secretary Harfuch stated that the U.S. government is actively seeking his extradition to the United States for trial.
Security analyst David Saucedo informed AFP that Flores had been a close aide to El Mencho prior to his demise. Mexican security officials also stated that Flores played a crucial role in the operations of the CJNG, overseeing drug labs, smuggling routes, and distribution networks within the United States.
Carlos Olivo, a former assistant special agent in charge at the DEA and an expert on the CJNG, highlighted the significance of Flores’ capture, noting that capturing him would have a more substantial impact on the CJNG’s operations compared to El Mencho’s death.
On April 27th, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson expressed on social media the importance of the successful capture of “El Jardinero,” a key leader of the CJNG, in combating the trafficking of fentanyl and inciting violence in communities.
Former U.S. President Trump had previously warned that the U.S. would not rule out taking unilateral military action if Mexico’s efforts against drug cartels were deemed insufficient.
Although Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum had rejected proposals for U.S. drone or ground troop assistance in anti-drug efforts, the recent significant arrest operations demonstrated the intensive cooperation between the two countries in intelligence sharing.