El Mencho’s Killing Weakens Drug Cartels Operating In Indian Waters

NEW DELHI -Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho”, Mexico’s most wanted and dangerous drug lord, was killed in a military operation. Following the killing, there was coordinated violence across several Mexican states, prompting advisories from India, the US and Canada.

While his death comes as a relief for Mexico and neighboring countries, Indian agencies too have reason to welcome the development. The narcotics racket in India is largely controlled by the Dawood Ibrahim syndicate, with operatives such as Haji Salim leading operations.

However, in recent times, other international players have begun operating in Indian waters. El Mencho’s name surfaced when the Indian Coast Guard seized a massive consignment of drugs from a fishing trawler in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on November 25, 2024. This marked the first instance when agencies learnt that players from Mexico, in coordination with players from China, were part of the drug trade in India.

What stood out in the seizure was the valuation of the narcotics being smuggled through Indian waters. The ICG seized 6,000 kg of methamphetamine valued at Rs 6,000 crore. Officials said narcotics of such high value can be handled only by major players. Agencies suspected the consignment was moved by El Mencho’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which operates from Mexico. It was also learnt that the operation was carried out in coordination with a Chinese cartel led by Tse Chi Lop, more popularly known as Chinese El Chapo.

An official said agencies are already on high alert, tackling narcotics cartels run by Dawood Ibrahim and the ISI. In recent months, the involvement of other international cartels in Indian waters had added to the challenge. The elimination of El Mencho comes as a relief for Indian agencies, as the role of international players is expected to decline, at least for the time being, the official added.

The El Mencho-run cartel operated through a complex network. It involved Chinese players who, in turn, appointed individuals from Myanmar to oversee operations. Another official said this was a sophisticated racket involving three or more countries, forcing agencies to tackle multiple fronts simultaneously.

The role of El Mencho’s cartel in the Indian context dates back to 2019, when methamphetamine was seized from the Andaman Sea. In that operation, six Myanmarese nationals were used to execute the trafficking. Agencies later found that drugs smuggled by El Mencho’s cartel were of significantly higher quality compared to those trafficked by Dawood’s network, resulting in higher demand, an officer said.

Another officer said El Mencho, along with Chinese El Chapo, extensively used the Andaman Sea for narcotics trafficking. While India was one destination, large quantities were routed through Indian waters to Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.

India has launched a massive drive against drugs. While agencies continue to battle the D-Company, the involvement of players from China and Mexico had intensified the challenge. El Mencho, a former police officer born in 1966, headed the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and was wanted in both the United States and Mexico. Under his command, the cartel coordinated global drug trafficking operations.

El Mencho had tied up with Chinese El Chapo to carry out operations in the Asia-Pacific region. El Chapo, whose cartel is known as ‘The Company’, migrated to Canada from China in 1988 and acquired Canadian citizenship through naturalization.

An Intelligence Bureau official said it was Chinese El Chapo who had direct involvement in using Indian waters to expand his narcotics trade. The partnership with El Mencho proved beneficial, giving him access to large quantities of high-quality drugs. Together, the two cartels controlled nearly 70 per cent of the Asia-Pacific narcotics market, including India.

Another official said El Mencho’s death is expected to slow down Chinese El Chapo’s operations, a development seen as a significant boost for Indian agencies in the fight against drugs. (IANS)