World’s Most Notorious Drug Kingpin Gunned Down: A Look at El Mencho’s Vast Criminal Empire in Eye-Opening Figures.

On Sunday, Mexican security forces successfully neutralized Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” during a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. This significant development marks a turning point in the fight against a notorious figure in the global narcotics trade.

Death of a Notorious Drug Lord

Mexican authorities confirmed that El Mencho was apprehended during the raid, suffering injuries in the process, and subsequently died while being transported to Mexico City for medical treatment. The operation also resulted in the deaths of at least nine other cartel members, while three security personnel sustained injuries. Authorities managed to detain two additional suspects and seized a cache of armored vehicles and heavy weaponry, including rocket launchers capable of targeting aircraft.

For over a decade, El Mencho was not only one of the most violent drug lords globally but also among its wealthiest. As the founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), he presided over a sophisticated criminal network that reportedly generated billions in revenue each year. Previous financial crackdowns, including Mexico’s Operation Blue Agave, resulted in the freezing of over $1 billion linked to nearly 2,000 individuals and businesses associated with the cartel. Despite these significant seizures, estimates suggest the organization controlled far more.

A Personal Fortune Estimated in the Billions

Due to the illicit nature of its operations, accurately accounting for the CJNG’s wealth is challenging. Nevertheless, U.S. and Mexican intelligence agencies have dedicated years to evaluating its financial operations. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has estimated El Mencho’s personal net worth to be at least $500 million, with some reports suggesting it could exceed $1 billion. At the time of his death, the U.S. State Department had placed a $15 million bounty on him, and the Mexican government had offered an additional 300 million pesos, reflecting the vast scale of his criminal enterprise.

Distinct from previous cartel leaders who concentrated on cocaine trafficking, El Mencho diversified the CJNG’s operations, resembling a multinational corporation more than a traditional drug-trafficking group.

An Expansive Drug Empire

Under El Mencho’s direction, the CJNG aggressively extended into synthetic drugs, positioning itself as a key player in the fentanyl pipeline to the United States. Intelligence estimates indicate that the cartel generates over $8 billion annually from cocaine trafficking and about $4.6 billion from crystal methamphetamine. It is also one of the major producers and distributors of fentanyl, benefiting from low production costs and high street value.

Even conservative estimates place the CJNG’s total annual drug revenue in the double-digit billions. The cartel operates production labs in Mexico, distribution hubs near the U.S. border, maritime smuggling routes, and collaborations across Latin America, Asia, and Europe. Prosecutors have identified El Mencho’s son, Rubén Oseguera González, as the cartel’s second-in-command, coordinating lab operations and enforcement measures alongside his father.

Diversification Beyond Drugs

The CJNG’s criminal operations extend well beyond drug trafficking. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the cartel derives hundreds of millions in revenue from *huachicol*, or fuel theft, by siphoning gasoline from state-owned pipelines and engaging in crude oil smuggling into the U.S. Court documents from U.S. prosecutions indicate that proceeds from fuel theft have been funneled towards acquiring weapons, methamphetamine production equipment, and funding cartel operations.

The cartel also profits from:

• Extortion of local businesses
• Human smuggling operations
• Illegal logging
• Large-scale real estate ventures
• Complex timeshare fraud schemes targeting tourists

These activities contribute to a diverse criminal portfolio capable of withstanding fluctuations in any single market.

A Vast Asset Base

The Mexican government estimates the CJNG controls approximately $50 billion in total assets. These assets include:

• Luxury estates in Mexico and the United States
• Commercial properties
• Agricultural businesses, including avocado plantations
• High-end vehicles
• Warehouses and logistical facilities
• Military-grade weaponry

During the recent operation, authorities seized cartel-owned armored vehicles and heavy artillery, highlighting how the CJNG reinvested profits into both legitimate enterprises and paramilitary capabilities. Prosecutors allege the cartel has secured weapons purchases and military training from foreign mercenaries, thereby enhancing its enforcement operations.

Immediate Aftermath of His Death

The killing of El Mencho has led to significant unrest and violence across Mexico. Reports indicate that armed factions have set fire to vehicles, supermarkets, and banks in at least 13 states, effectively paralyzing major urban centers. In the state of Jalisco alone, around 20 branches of a state-run bank were damaged, and multiple roads were obstructed by burning vehicles.

Events such as concerts and soccer matches have been canceled, flights redirected, and operations suspended in some ports. A sense of panic briefly swept through Guadalajara International Airport as travelers fled the terminal, although authorities later confirmed that flight operations remained normal. The U.S. government has advised its citizens to remain indoors in parts of five Mexican states.

The Future Landscape of the CJNG

The death of a cartel leader does not signify the collapse of the entire organization. The CJNG’s intricate infrastructure, supply chains, laundering operations, and varied revenue streams are institutional rather than dependent on individual leadership. U.S. prosecutors have described a structured hierarchy with El Mencho at the top, supported by trusted family members and lieutenants overseeing essential cartel functions.

Whether the CJNG will fracture or consolidate its power under new leadership remains to be seen. However, the extensive financial apparatus built by El Mencho is poised to endure beyond individual arrests or assassinations.

Though El Mencho’s life has concluded, the formidable criminal empire he established is likely to persevere, posing ongoing challenges for law enforcement and society at large.