Jalisco Cartel Attempted to Buy Weapons in the Czech Republic in Exchange for Fentanyl

The United States continues to take action against individuals linked to drug trafficking.

Today, it formally charged four members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel who were arrested in the Czech Republic while attempting to purchase weapons in exchange for drugs such as fentanyl. 

The Jalisco Cartel went shopping in the Czech Republic. Four of its representatives attempted to acquire weapons, ammunition, and artillery in exchange for synthetic drugs, but they were discovered and arrested last June. 

They are José Miguel Alvarado Morales, a 23-year-old Mexican-American identified as the godson and representative of one of the cartel’s top leaders, Audia Flores Silva—known as “El Jardinero” (The Gardener)—who was arrested in April of this year; Edgar Alejandro López Velasco, a Mexican national in charge of drug shipments to the United States and a close associate of other cartel leadership; Hugo Mendoza Gaitán, alias “El Sapo” (The Toad), who was as close to “El Mencho” as “El Jardinero” was; Noé Díaz Jiménez, also a 33-year-old Mexican national, identified as the operator of a synthetic drug laboratory in Zapopan that was dismantled two months ago. 

And Leardo Gajiola López, a 63-year-old Mexican national, who allegedly introduced Edgar López to the Czech traffickers. According to the Department of Justice, the cartel’s negotiations with the foreign nationals began in February of this year.

Between June 9 and 10, the four accused individuals traveled to the Czech Republic to finalize the deal and also meet potential suppliers of chemical precursors for manufacturing synthetic drugs. 

They are charged with drug trafficking, arms trafficking, and narco-terrorism. López Velasco and Alvarado Morales has already been extradited to the United States and brought before a judge. They pleaded not guilty and remain in custody pending trial.

Source: Milenio