Information leading to the capture of “El Mencho” stemmed from a romantic partner of the drug lord, according to Mexican Defence Minister, General Ricardo Trevilla.
He said the military was able to get information regarding the crime boss’s whereabouts in Jalisco from the partner.
El Mencho was at the location with bodyguards on Saturday 21 February, which led to the operation being planned, he said.
Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the nation’s most powerful criminal organisations.
Trevilla also said exchanges of information with the U.S. Northern Command had been important to the operation.
The Minister offered condolences to the families of those killed in retaliatory attacks.
He said the Special Forces and National Guard operation to capture “El Mencho” also involved six helicopters and that a fighter jet had been on standby to speed the drugs lord to the Mexican capital.
However, he died before he could be put on board.
The General said cartel members had opened fire with heavy weaponry when they realised their base was being raided, and that a “very violent” battle broke out that government forces were able to fight off.
“El Mencho” and two bodyguards fled to a wooded area with some cabins – but the drugs boss was found hiding in a bushy area.
Several rocket launchers were also found with them but Trejo said they weren’t able to use them. However, he added that one helicopter was forced into an emergency landing at a military base after being hit by enemy fire.
“El Mencho” and the two bodyguards were badly hurt in the fire fight and were flown in another chopper, alongside an injured soldier, to a medical centre – but the three criminals died on the way.
A senior Jalisco member was also tracked down and killed as he urged members to attack military installations and the National Guard, offering 20,000 pesos for each soldier injured, Trejo added.
The General revised up the number of cartel members killed in the raid to eight, saying four more bodies had been found inside the property – along with grenades, ammo and eight vehicles nearby.
Written with reports from Sky News
