An aerial photograph shows plumes of smoke rising after violent reactions to the killing of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, then leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in February. The killing of El Mencho sparked a wave of violence and road blockades across Mexico. File Photo by Gerardo Santillan/EPA
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- The United States has increased to $25 million the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Juan Carlos Valencia González, a U.S. citizen identified as the alleged new leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the Department of Justice said.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, operates in an estimated 27 of Mexico's 32 states and maintains financial and illicit networks that extend across the Americas, Europe and Asia, according to NarcoData.
Valencia González, 41, known by the aliases "El Pelón," "El 03," "El JP" and "Tricky Tres," is among the Drug Enforcement Administration's most wanted fugitives. The initial reward was set at $5 million in December 2021.
U.S. authorities accuse him of trafficking large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States and using firearms during his operations.
