"Pepe" of the CJNG Has Been Captured; He Transported "El Mencho's" Girlfriend Prior to his Death

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Members of the Mexican Army Special Forces and the National Guard arrested José N—better known as “Pepe”—who is considered one of the principal logistical operators for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

“Pepe’s” arrest took place during ground patrols in the municipality of Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco, where federal agents located the CJNG member and seized drugs, weaponry, and a vehicle from him.

The Secretariat of National Defense identified “Pepe” as the individual responsible for transporting the romantic partner of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes—better known as “El Mencho”—prior to the operation in which the latter was killed on February 22 in Tapalpa, Jalisco.

“El Mencho” Was Located After Tracking “Pepe”

The Secretary of National Defense, General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, revealed that they located Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes—better known as “El Mencho,” the leader and founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)—due to a visit from a romantic partner just two days before he was killed.

Acting on centralized military intelligence provided by the National Intelligence Center and the Attorney General’s Office, authorities located “Pepe” as he transported a romantic partner of “El Mencho” to a cabin complex in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Friday, February 20.

After tracking the romantic partner, authorities conducted intelligence operations and confirmed that Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes—”El Mencho”—was indeed hiding within the cabin complex in Tapalpa, Jalisco, prompting them to begin planning the operation.

Two days after the partner’s visit—on Sunday, February 22, minutes before 8:00 a.m.—elements of the Mexican Army’s Special Forces and the National Guard’s Immediate Reaction Special Force, supported by various Mexican Air Force aircraft, launched the operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco.

Federal personnel established a security cordon to corner and apprehend “El Mencho,” but they were met with gunfire from a large number of armed civilians. These individuals launched a violent attack against the military forces as a diversion to allow the CJNG leader to flee the cabins where he had been taking refuge; during this engagement, eight criminals were killed and two soldiers were wounded.

**Seized Items**

Authorities seized weapons and various illicit materials from the criminals:

*   7 long guns

*   2 rocket launchers

*   8 vehicles

*   2 off-road utility vehicles (Razers)

*   Magazines and ammunition

**The Operation**

“El Mencho” moved forward alongside his inner circle, seeking cover amidst the dense brush on the outskirts of the cabin complex; however, Special Forces personnel located him within the undergrowth. This triggered another exchange of gunfire, during which the CJNG leader was seriously wounded, along with two of his bodyguards. Additionally, two other companions were detained, and one soldier sustained injuries. The military personnel conducting the operation determined that they needed to evacuate “El Mencho” and his two injured companions due to the severity of their wounds; consequently, they requested helicopter support to land and transport them to a hospital in Jalisco, but they died en route.

At that point, the troops decided to divert the helicopter carrying “El Mencho’s” body to the Morelia International Airport, where the body was transferred to an Air Force fighter jet to be flown to Mexico City, thereby mitigating the risk of the criminal group retaliating with violent acts.

Subsequently, members of the CJNG began instigating unrest across various states of the Republic—led by Hugo H., alias “El Tuli”—perpetrating 27 attacks against law enforcement authorities. During these incidents, 25 members of the National Guard, one prison guard, one agent from the State Attorney General’s Office, one civilian woman, and 34 criminals lost their lives; additionally, 15 officers from various security agencies sustained injuries.

Ultimately, authorities killed “El Tuli” after locating him inside a vehicle in El Grullo, Jalisco; they successfully quelled all criminal activity and cleared the 252 roadblocks—erected by the alleged criminals—across federal and state highways, as well as strategic urban thoroughfares.

Source: Luz Noticias

Source: https://www.borderlandbeat.com/2026/03/pepe-of-cjng-has-been-captured-he.html