Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes or “El Mencho”, was killed in a military operation in Mexico, triggering coordinated violence across several Mexican states and prompting advisories from India, the United States and Canada.
Authorities described El Mencho as Mexico’s most wanted and dangerous drug lord. His death has led to heightened security assessments globally. While Mexico and neighbouring countries view the development as a major breakthrough, Indian agencies also see strategic implications, particularly in relation to narcotics trafficking routes linked to the Andaman Sea.
Officials said India’s narcotics landscape has traditionally been dominated by the syndicate led by Dawood Ibrahim, with figures such as Haji Salim overseeing operations. However, intelligence agencies have observed increasing activity by international cartels in Indian waters in recent years.
El Mencho’s name surfaced in India following a major seizure by the Indian Coast Guard on November 25, 2024, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Authorities intercepted a fishing trawler carrying 6,000 kg of Methamphetamine valued at Rs 6,000 crore. Officials described the seizure as unprecedented in scale and value, indicating the involvement of high-level international operators.
Investigators suspected that the consignment was linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the organisation run by El Mencho. Intelligence inputs suggested coordination with a Chinese cartel led by Tse Chi Lop, often referred to as “Chinese El Chapo.”
An official stated that Indian agencies are already engaged in countering networks associated with Dawood Ibrahim and elements linked to Pakistan’s ISI. The emergence of Mexican and Chinese players in Indian waters added complexity to enforcement efforts. The official noted that El Mencho’s elimination could temporarily reduce the footprint of certain international actors.
Officials described the cartel structure as multilayered, involving Chinese operatives who reportedly engaged intermediaries from Myanmar to supervise segments of operations. They termed the network a multi-country nexus requiring coordination across several fronts.
The link between El Mencho’s cartel and Indian waters dates back to 2019, when Methamphetamine was seized from the Andaman Sea. In that operation, six Myanmarese nationals allegedly played operational roles. Investigators also observed that narcotics attributed to El Mencho’s cartel were of significantly higher quality compared to those smuggled by the Dawood network, increasing market demand.
Another officer said the Andaman Sea was extensively used to move narcotics not only into India but also onward to Thailand and other Southeast Asian destinations. Intelligence sources indicated that El Mencho and Tse Chi Lop coordinated operations across the Asia-Pacific region, with their combined networks controlling an estimated 70 per cent of the sector, including routes passing through Indian waters.
El Mencho, born in 1966 and a former police officer, led global trafficking operations under the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. His partnership with Tse Chi Lop, whose organisation is known as “The Company,” strengthened supply chains in the Asia-Pacific corridor.
An Intelligence Bureau official said Tse Chi Lop had direct involvement in exploiting Indian maritime routes. The partnership enabled access to large volumes of high-grade narcotics.
Officials assess that El Mencho’s death may slow the operations of associated networks, providing operational relief to Indian agencies as they intensify their anti-drug drive across maritime corridors.
