As of December 2020, Mexico has extradited 26 of the highest-ranking cartel figures to the United States. This group, which incorporated top leaders of “Los Cuinis,” represented a historic advance by the government through AML against organized drug trafficking. Likewise, as we’ve reported, one of the major leaders of “Los Cuinis,” Abigael González Valencia, has been turned over recently. This group has deep connections to the infamous Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The transfers were first reported by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office and Security Ministry.
Among many others, Abigael González Valencia has represented an key actor for funding the establishment and CJNG’s expansion. He has operated “Los Cuinis” with the help of his two brothers. His brother, José González Valencia, was already under indictment on more serious charges. He ultimately pled guilty to international cocaine trafficking and was sentenced to 30 years in U.S. prison. José was arrested in 2017 during a holiday in Brazil using a false identity.
Abigael’s networks of support extend even further than his family. Most interestingly, he is the brother-in-law of CJNG leader Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes. Today, this cartel is known as the world’s largest smuggler of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. They flood these drugs into the United States and other countries. The group has become infamous for episodes of extreme violence, such as murders, torture, and is notably corrupt.
Roberto Salazar is also being transferred from ICE into U.S. custody. He’s under some pretty heinous indictment accusations for his supposed involvement in the execution of a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy in 2008. These are the cases where the U.S. Justice Department has promised not to seek the death penalty. This decision greatly facilitated the creation of this complicated deal.
Those recent transfers mark an important new chapter in Mexico-U.S. relations – especially regarding drug enforcement. Along with CJNG, “Los Cuinis” has been instrumental in the expansion of the operations of CJNG, thus making the capture (or death) of its operators a tactical priority for U.S. and Mexican authorities.
Yet drug-related violence poses serious obstacles for both countries. To address this alarming trend, they are going after the low-hanging fruit and cracking down on robust criminal enterprises to hold them accountable for their drugs. Transfers like these would send the entire criminal underworld into chaos. Law enforcement agencies are uniting to fight these urgent crises at their core.
