On August 25, 2025, Mexican federal authorities arrested José Luis Sánchez Valencia, known as “El Chalamán”, in Colima, dealing a major blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The arrest took place near Benito Juárez Avenue, following a coordinated surveillance operation led by Mexico’s Security Cabinet, with support from the National Intelligence Center, Secretariat of National Defense, Secretariat of the Navy, and the National Guard.
“El Chalamán” is considered one of CJNG’s principal operatives and is reportedly a close relative of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho”, the cartel’s top leader. He was apprehended under a provisional arrest warrant for extradition to the United States, where he faces charges related to drug trafficking and criminal conspiracy.
Authorities had been tracking Sánchez Valencia’s movements in the Colima–Villa de Álvarez metropolitan area, using fixed surveillance and mobile patrols. Once identified, officers confirmed his identity and executed the arrest without incident. He was informed of his legal rights and transferred to federal custody for extradition proceedings.
The CJNG is one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organizations, known for its involvement in large-scale drug trafficking, extortion, and armed conflict with rival cartels. The capture of “El Chalamán” is seen as a strategic victory in Mexico’s ongoing efforts to dismantle cartel leadership structures and respond to U.S. extradition requests.
This arrest follows a series of high-profile operations targeting CJNG figures and reflects growing cooperation between Mexican and U.S. law enforcement agencies. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to “building peace and detaining individuals who generate violence,” signaling continued pressure on organized crime networks operating across Mexico.
Source: OEM
