A California man who co-founded one of Mexico's most powerful and violent drug cartels has pleaded guilty in the United States to a federal narcotics conspiracy charge. Erick Valencia Salazar, 49, of Santa Clara, California, entered his plea on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., admitting to one count of conspiring to distribute cocaine for importation into the U.S.
Formation of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel
Valencia Salazar formed the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, known by its Spanish-language acronym CJNG, with Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious drug lord known as "El Mencho." The cartel has become one of Mexico's most formidable criminal organizations, responsible for widespread violence and drug trafficking operations that extend across international borders.
Criminal Background and Cartel Leadership
Before founding the CJNG, Valencia Salazar was a member of the Milenio Cartel. After parting ways with "El Mencho," who led the CJNG until his death in February, Valencia Salazar formed his own criminal organization called La Nueva Plaza. Known by the alias "El 85," he has been a significant figure in Mexico's drug trafficking landscape for years.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Valencia Salazar faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years, with a maximum potential sentence of life imprisonment. Chief Judge James Boasberg is scheduled to sentence him on July 31. The guilty plea comes after a grand jury indicted Valencia Salazar on the conspiracy charge in 2018.
Extradition and International Cooperation
In February 2025, Mexican authorities extradited Valencia Salazar to the United States as part of an initial group of 29 drug lords. This extradition represents significant international cooperation between Mexican and U.S. law enforcement agencies in combating transnational drug trafficking organizations.
Impact on United States and Mexico
A. Tysen Duva, the assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department's criminal division, stated that the CJNG has inflicted "immeasurable damage" on the United States. Duva emphasized that Valencia Salazar was responsible for furthering rampant violence in Mexico, compromising community safety and destabilizing the region to allow criminal activities to flourish.
Designation as Foreign Terrorist Organization
Last year, the Trump administration designated the CJNG and other Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This designation reflects the severe threat these organizations pose to national security and public safety in both Mexico and the United States.
Arrest History and Capture
Valencia Salazar has been arrested twice in Mexico. His first arrest occurred in 2012 when military forces detained him in the municipality of Zapopan, near Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state. After being released from prison in 2017 due to alleged procedural flaws, he was recaptured by the Mexican Army in 2022 in the town of Tapalpa.
Reward for Information
The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Valencia Salazar's arrest or conviction, highlighting the importance placed on bringing him to justice by American authorities.
The case against Valencia Salazar represents a significant victory in the ongoing battle against international drug trafficking organizations that operate across the U.S.-Mexico border. His guilty plea acknowledges his role in one of Mexico's most violent criminal enterprises and sets the stage for substantial prison time that reflects the severity of his crimes.
