The daughter and romantic partner of cartel leader El Tío Lako have been arrested during coordinated raids in the Mexican towns of Tinaja de Vargas and Colesio, in the municipalities of Tanhuato and Ecuandureo. The arrests sparked a furious reaction from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), whose members set fire to buildings and blocked roads with burnt-out vehicles.
Arrests and Cartel Backlash
The women, identified only as Marisol 'N' and Lourdes 'N', were arrested alongside seven other members of the CJNG. A spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense said: "Among those arrested are Marisol 'N' and Lourdes 'N', identified as the daughter and romantic partner of Heraclio 'N', aka Tío Lako, the regional head of this criminal organization in the states of Michoacán and Jalisco."
The bust sparked a backlash from gang members who set fire to buildings and caused road blockades with torched vehicles, a common cartel tactic. Cops in the area took measures to prevent roadblocks.
Seized Weapons and Vehicles
The military reported that 64 vehicles, including one armoured, were seized during the raids. Also seized was a .50 caliber machine gun, four 5.56mm caliber Minimi machine guns, nine long guns, a handgun, two grenade launcher attachments, drugs, eight improvised explosive devices, seven motorcycles and a drone.
The cartel members were transferred in a Mexican Air Force helicopter to be placed at the disposal of the Attorney General's Office (FGR), based in Mexico City, to continue with the investigations.
Background on El Tío Lako and El Mencho
The gang is now headed by El Tío Lako, real name Heraclio Guerrero Martínez, who took over after former boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes – aka El Mencho – was killed by the Mexican military earlier this year. Infamous cartel leader El Mencho was killed in a major operation carried out by the army in February. One of Mexico's most wanted men, the US State Department had previously offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest.
Since taking over from El Mencho, Martínez is accused of ordering a series of revenge attacks on members of the National Guard in retribution for the wanted drug lord's death. President Claudia Sheinbaum said: "There is an operation underway to apprehend one or more high-profile targets. The Security Cabinet will release more information later, which is why some locations were secured. The Ministry of Defense is already on site, along with all necessary support personnel." Donald Trump's administration designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year as part of the US President's cartel crackdown.
