Mexican military captures brother of notorious drug kingpin

By Jorge Antonio Rocha

MEXICO CITY (AA) - Mexico's Defense Ministry announced Tuesday that it has arrested Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, the brother of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, the leader of one of Mexico's largest drug cartels.

El Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (Jalisco New Generation Cartel), better known by its acronym CJNG, is one of the most prolific and violent criminal organizations in Mexico and the world, with a presence throughout the Americas as well as Asia and Europe.

According to Mexico's military, Antonio Oseguera was apprehended in the state of Jalisco in Mexico's northwest in the early hours of Tuesday on charges of money laundering, acquisition of weapons in large quantities and coordination of "violent actions" against opposing groups.

The US Treasury Department had singled him out as an associate of the CJNG in charge of money laundering and international drug trafficking.

The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is currently offering $10 million for information leading to the capture of Nemesio Oseguera.

The arrest of Antonio Oseguera follows reports of the kidnapping of Mexican Col. José Isidro Grimaldo Muñoz by the CJNG on Dec. 10 while he was on vacation. Armed commandos abducted the military official in Jalisco, where the cartel is very influential.

Following Antonio Oseguera’s arrest, authorities in Mexico have reportedly taken preventive measures for any retribution by the CJNG. ​​​​​​​