“The Gardener” Captured by Mexican Navy Special Forces

A major leader of the CJNG cartel has been captured by Mexican Navy Special Forces, in the state of Nayarit.

From the Associated Press: “The powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) suffered a new blow on Monday [April 27th] with the arrest in northwestern Mexico of Audias Flores Silva, “El Jardinero” (The Gardener), who was identified as one of the organization’s leaders and for whom the United States was offering a $5 million reward.”

Look at the map above, I wouldn’t consider Nayarit as “northwestern Mexico”.

Here’s a U.S. government wanted poster for The Gardener:

“Flores Silva’s capture comes two months after the military operation in which the cartel’s leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” was killed in the state of Jalisco.” [For information on the El Mencho case, click here and here.]

“The drug lord [Flores Silva] was arrested in the state of Nayarit during an operation carried out by special forces from Mexico’s Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR), Federal Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said on his X account.” [See Cabinet Profile of Garcia Harfuch here.]

The AP provides some background info on the Gardener: “Flores Silva is originally from the western town of Huetamo, in the state of Michoacán. According to local media, he served as Oseguera Cervantes’ security chief and later took over part of the CJNG’s operations in the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecas, Michoacán, and Guerrero, where he controlled several methamphetamine labs and oversaw the operation of various aircraft and clandestine airstrips for drug trafficking.”

The Gardener’s capture sparked off violent response from the cartel.

From Anadolu Ajansı : “Following Flores Silva’s capture, local media reported burnings of vehicles and businesses in Nayarit and Jalisco, recognized strongholds of the CJNG. Violence was reported in at least six municipalities, where authorities have advised citizens to remain in their homes. No injuries have been reported so far.”

The same source provides some more information about the operation: “According to a joint statement issued by the Mexican Navy, the Secretariat of Security and the Attorney General’s Office, Flores Silva was detained while attempting to escape through a drainage pipe at his safe house in Nayarit, a coastal state in western Mexico.”

“Mexican security agencies supported by intelligence from US agencies monitored his movements for 19 months before cornering him in the small community of El Mirador.”

“Despite Flores Silva having a security circle of 60 people and 30 vehicles, Mexican forces managed to capture him without bloodshed, according to reports.”

“ ‘The operation was carried out with surgical precision, without the need to fire a single shot, with no fatalities, injuries, or collateral damage,’ a statement said.”