Mexican Cartel Stole and Sold Babies, Harvested Organs Of Pregnant Victims

A joint U.S.-Mexico operation last week led to the arrest of cartel leader who authorities say operated a baby trafficking ring in northern Mexico.

Martha Alicia Mendez Aguilar, known as "La Diabla," was arrested September 2. She is accused of having ties with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which lured vulnerable, pregnant woman to their deaths, CBS News reported. According to the network, the cartel performed illegal cesarean operations, took the babies, killed the mothers, and then harvested their organs.

According to CBS News, the children were sold to people in the U.S. for as much as 250,000 pesos, equivalent to $14,000.

"This is one example of what terrorist cartels will do to diversify their revenue streams and finance operations," said Joe Kent, National Counter Terrorism Center Director

"NCTC delivered critical intelligence on 'La Diabla's' location and developed comprehensive analysis that enabled U.S. and Mexican law enforcement partners to take action. I am proud of our team's ability to work with our forward deployed U.S. partners and Mexican law enforcement to stop these horrific acts. NCTC remains committed to disrupting all aspects of terrorist cartels and their operations. And in this case, the lives of innocent women and children depended on it," Kent said.

The arrest comes after President Donald Trump designated cartels and transnational gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard directed NCTC to focus intelligence and vetting resources against terrorists who traffic deadly narcotics into the country.

CBS News reported that since Trump's announcement, the state department named eight gangs as foreign terrorist organizations, including CJNG.