High-Ranking Jalisco Cartel Member And Relative of Leader 'El Mencho,' Arrested in Mexico

Mexican authorities confirmed Monday the arrest of a high-ranking member of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and a direct relative of the group's leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho."

In a joint operation involving multiple federal and intelligence agencies, officials arrested José Luis Sánchez Valencia, alias "El Chalamán," in the state of Colima on Aug. 23. Authorities said intelligence reports helped track Sánchez's movements and pinpoint his location.

After gathering precise data on his whereabouts, authorities established surveillance and patrols in the Colima City metropolitan area. Once spotted, agents carried out a provisional arrest warrant issued for his extradition to the United States.

As reported by Infobae México, the warrant was issued at the request of U.S. authorities, who accuse Sánchez of drug trafficking, among other charges. He is wanted for allegedly participating in drug trafficking and conspiring to distribute controlled substances and chemical precursors in the United States.

A Relative of CJNG Leader "El Mencho"

According to Milenio, Sánchez Valencia is a relative of El Mencho, though the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear. One of Sánchez's surnames—Valencia—holds particular weight in Mexico's drug trafficking history, especially in the rise and expansion of the CJNG.

As noted by the outlet, El Mencho is married to Rosalinda González Valencia, also known as "La Jefa," a member of a family long tied to drug trafficking in the states of Michoacán, Jalisco and Colima.

The González Valencia clan, also known as Los Cuinis, originated in Aguililla, Michoacán, and over the years has become a key part of CJNG's financial structure. Among its most prominent members are José, Gerardo and Abigael González Valencia—senior leaders accused by the United States of trafficking large quantities of cocaine into the country. In June, U.S. prosecutors sentenced José González Valencia to 30 years in prison for his role in the organization.

The González Valencia family is part of a broader network of interrelated criminal clans, including the Valencia Cornelio family, founders of the now-defunct Milenio Cartel, which operated in Michoacán, Jalisco and Colima before fracturing in the early 2010s.

According to media reports, El Chalamán had previously been arrested in May 2011. At the time, authorities seized high-caliber weapons, ammunition, cellphones and a vehicle.