Inside El Mencho's arsenal: high-powered arms, 400 gunmen, land mines - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Steve Fisher

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Mexican authorities successfully killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," a notorious drug lord and leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. El Mencho had established an advanced security system modeled after military special forces, including high-powered weaponry, nearly 400 gunmen, bomb-delivering drones, and land mines. His operations were highly sophisticated, with measures like counter-drone radar scramblers and computer hackers infiltrating military systems to monitor government intelligence. El Mencho’s security apparatus was designed to keep him hidden and protected. He avoided using phones near himself to prevent GPS tracking and surrounded himself with trained forces wherever he traveled. His main compound in Jalisco state was guarded by concentric circles of gunmen, each knowing only the layout of their assigned land mines but not the full extent of the minefield. The capture of El Mencho was a significant operation involving U.S. intelligence, including Predator drone surveillance. Mexican officials had discussed potential U.S. military intervention if they failed to act, which added urgency to their efforts. The raid was carried out without foreign intervention, showcasing Mexico’s ability to tackle its drug cartel challenges independently. El Mencho’s cartel is known for extreme violence, including drone attacks on government offices and high-profile killings of officials who opposed them. His death marks a major blow to the cartel’s operations, though his legacy as one of Mexico’s most feared criminals remains intact. This operation highlights the complex and dangerous nature of drug cartels in Mexico, their ability to use advanced technology and military tactics, and the collaboration between Mexican and U.S. authorities in addressing this threat. The success of the raid underscores the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts in combating organized crime.

Verticals

newscalifornia

Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/24/2026