Mexican Authorities Traced Drug Lord ‘El Mencho’ Through Visit From Romantic Partner

Investigators tracked a confidante of one of the drug lord’s romantic partners, who accompanied the woman to a cabin for a meeting with him.

Security personnel stand outside the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime, where the body of "El Mencho" is apparently being held by authorities in Jalisco state, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Luis Cortes/Reuters

Mexican authorities said on Feb. 23 that they were able to trace most-wanted cartel leader “El Mencho” after following his romantic partner to a secret rendezvous in the state of Jalisco.

El Mencho, whose real name is Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, also known as CJNG, one of the most powerful drug organizations in the country. In 2024, the U.S. State Department offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest.