Juan Carlos Valencia González, the rumoured successor to Meixcan cartel boss El Mencho, is already wanted in the US with a $5million reward for information leading to his arrest
The rumoured successor to ambushed cartel kingpin El Mencho is the first ever American citizen to lead a major Mexican cartel, sources say.
Juan Carlos Valencia González, known as El 3, is already wanted in the US with a $5 million (£4.3 million) reward on offer for any information leading to his arrest. The 41-year-old is the stepson of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) boss El Mencho – who was killed in a major operation by the army in western Mexico last week.
The country was plunged into chaos following his death, with tourists warned to stay inside as cartel gangs stormed Guadalajara International Airport before burning vehicles and setting up roadblocks in city streets.
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El Mencho had been a key figure in the recent history of Latin American drug trafficking, with his influence being compared to that of El Chapo and Pablo Escobar.
His stepson González is reportedly another mastermind behind Mexico’s notorious CJNG, helping it become one of the country’s most powerful and fastest-growing criminal organisations. Sources told Borderland Beat that he is now in line to take over the gang.
González was born on September 12, 1984, in Santa Ana, California – which would make him the first American citizen ever to lead a major Mexican cartel.
His mum, Rosalinda ‘La Jefa’ González Valencia, played a key role behind the scenes, acting as a major figure in managing the cartel’s finances, according to law enforcement.
González first came to the attention of authorities during a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation in 2020. Investigators concluded he was responsible for producing and trafficking tonnes of narcotics and linked him to violent crime dating back to 2007.
In July 2020, he was identified in footage showing the armed wing of the CJNG. That October, the US government issued a federal indictment accusing him of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and using a firearm during a drug trafficking offence.
Authorities also announced a $5million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction. Announcing the reward in 2021, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said: “[The] reward announcement underscores the US government’s commitment to pursuing the individuals and organizations that are causing the most harm in our communities.”
González’s wanted poster describes him as being 5ft9 and 170lbs with brown hair and eyes. Federal officials said at the time that González was “one of the alleged leaders of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion.”
“A DEA (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration) investigation of Valencia Gonzalez revealed he was responsible for the manufacturing, transportation, and distribution of tons of quantities of narcotics, as well as for organizing numerous crimes of violence,” the notice said.
