OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 6:55 AM PT — Thursday, March 12, 2020
The Trump administration has scored a significant victory against
Mexico’s most dangerous drug cartel. On Wednesday, the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) and the Department of Justice announced the
conclusion of ‘Project Python.’The operation was a six month multi-agency enforcement campaign against the Jalisco New Generation cartel also known as the CJNG. It led to more than 600 arrests with 250 of those on Wednesday alone. Authorities also conducted significant seizures of illicit drugs and weapons.
“Cartel de Jalisco New Generation, CJNG, is the single criminal organization most responsible for these deaths on both sides of the border,” stated Bill Bodner, DEA Special Agent in Charge. “Project Python, which culminated today, was a long term, national synchronized enforcement operation with the goal of disrupting, dismantling and destroying elements of CJNG.’
Although the cartel is a relative newcomer, having been founded in 2009, it has quickly become one of the fastest-growing criminal organizations in the world. It’s believed to have a presence in 24 of Mexico’s 32 states and frequently carries out acts of extreme violence against both government officials as well as rival cartels.
“CJNG was targeted primarily for two reasons: the rapid expansion of territory they control in Mexico, which they accomplished through extreme use of violence and intimidation, and their proficiency in driving the production of synthetic drugs in Mexico,” Agent Bodner explained.
CJNG is also a major contributor to cross-border smuggling and violence in the United States. It’s estimated to control between one-third and two-thirds of the U.S. drug market with hubs in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta.
“CJNG is responsible for much of the methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and synthetic opioids that we see on our streets,” said Nick Hanna, U.S. attorney for the Central District of California. “And they use some of that drug money to buy high-powered weapons in the United States.”
The Department of Justice has also set its sights on CJNG ‘s presumptive leader Nemesio Oseguera, who is also known as ‘El Mencho.’ The alleged crime boss has been placed at the top of the DEA’s’ most wanted list and a multi-million dollar reward has been offered for information resulting in his capture.
His son, Ruben Oseguera, who allegedly controlled the cartel’s finances was extradited to the U.S. from Mexico last month to face criminal charges related to drug trafficking.
The alleged drug lords daughter, Jessica Oseguera, was also arrested last month as she sought to visit her brother in court. The charges against her have not been made public and she was released on bail last week.
