Mexican authorities have detained a key logistics operator for the Jalisco cartel, who facilitated the meeting that led to the deadly raid on kingpin Nemesio Oseguera.

MEXICO CITY: Mexican authorities have arrested a suspected drug trafficker who played a key role in the operation that led to the death of notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, alias “El Mencho”, last month.

The defence ministry said on Sunday that Jose N, nicknamed “El Pepe”, was detained for transporting Oseguera’s partner to a luxurious cabin in the Tapalpa municipality of Jalisco state.

Military intelligence services tracked down Oseguera after discovering his planned rendezvous, which culminated in a raid by elite troops on February 22 where the cartel leader was fatally wounded.

Authorities described “El Pepe” as one of the main logistics operators for the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), apprehending him in the Tlajomulco municipality.

Drugs, weapons and a vehicle were seized from the detainee at the time of his arrest, according to the defence ministry’s brief statement.

Oseguera, who led the CJNG, was Mexico’s most wanted man and also had a USD 15 million bounty on his head from the United States government.

His death triggered violent retaliation from cartel members, who blocked roads in 20 of Mexico’s 32 states and torched vehicles and businesses in cities including Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.

Over 70 people were killed during the operation to capture Oseguera and in the subsequent clashes between security forces and CJNG gunmen.

 The Sun Malaysia