**Primary Article: Drug Trafficking Trial of “El Menchito” Begins in the U.S. with Testimony from “El Lobo”**
On September 9, 2024, the drug trafficking trial against Rubén Oseguera González, known as “El Menchito,” commenced in Washington, D.C. The trial is overseen by Judge Beryl Alaine Howell of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia. Oseguera González, son of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), stands accused of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, and possession or use of a firearm in connection with these narcotics crimes.
Oscar Nava Valencia, known as “El Lobo,” a former leader of the Milenio Cartel or Valencia Cartel, testified on the first day of the trial. Nava Valencia recounted his acquaintance with Oseguera González starting in 2005 in Guadalajara, where the latter was introduced to the drug trade by his father at the age of 15. According to Nava Valencia, “El Menchito” was groomed to handle large operations involving the trafficking of drugs such as marijuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
The testimony highlighted the extensive role Oseguera González played in the CJNG, from coordinating drug shipments to managing its security. Additionally, he was in charge of safeguarding drug consignments and processing methamphetamine with precursors provided by the Milenio Cartel.
Rubén Oseguera González was apprehended several times by Mexican authorities, with notable arrests in January 2014 and June 2015. Despite being acquitted on multiple charges, including organized crime and narcotics-related crimes in Mexico, he faced an extradition request from the U.S. The U.S. government had sought his extradition on charges of drug trafficking and weapons offenses since 2016.
Oseguera González argues that he is being mistaken for someone else, a claim supported by various forensic and identification reports he has presented in his defense. His legal battles included attempts to challenge the extradition process, which he ultimately lost. He was transferred to the U.S. in February 2020, where he now stands trial.
**Secondary Article: New Developments in Genaro García Luna’s Trial**
In related news, testimony from Oscar Nava Valencia, “El Lobo,” has surfaced again in another high-profile trial involving former Mexican Security Secretary Genaro García Luna. On January 30, 2023, during García Luna’s trial in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Nava Valencia claimed to have bribed García Luna with $10 million to secure drug shipments and gain protection.
The defense team of García Luna aimed to discredit Nava Valencia’s testimony, pointing out that he never mentioned García Luna’s name in interactions with U.S. authorities until 2020. They highlighted discrepancies and the lack of direct evidence, such as documentation or recordings, linking García Luna to the charges against him. Despite these efforts, the testimony of “El Lobo” remains a significant element in the ongoing trial against García Luna.
The involvement of high-profile cartel leaders in both cases underscores the intricate connections and deep-seated corruption within Mexico’s struggle against organized crime, shedding light on the operations and organizational structures of the cartels.