Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes ("El Mencho")

Founder and leader of Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). Born in Aguililla, Michoacán, he served in the Mexican military, was later convicted of heroin trafficking in the US, served his sentence, and was deported to Mexico. He rose through the Milenio Cartel before forming CJNG circa 2010.

Under his leadership, CJNG expanded from Jalisco to operate in over two-thirds of Mexico’s states, becoming the DEA’s top criminal drug threat. His organization has made extraordinary shows of force, including shooting down a military helicopter with an RPG (2015) and attempting to assassinate Mexico City’s police chief (2020). The US government offers a $10 million reward for his capture. He remains at large as of 2025, though his health is reportedly declining.