Erick Valencia-Salazar, a Californian who was reportedly a co-founder of the Mexican Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), pleaded pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal drug conspiracy charge.
Salazar was arrested in Tapalpa, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, in 2022 for conspiring to send thousands of kilograms of cocaine to the United States on behalf of the CJNG. His transfer to the USA took place as part of a cooperation effort with the Mexican government to secure the transfer of 29 cartel leaders. His guilty plea carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Salazar, known as El 85, left the Milenio cartel to form his own cartel with them Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the drug lord who later became known as “El Mencho.” He supplied AK-47 and AR-15 rifles to Milenio Cartel gunmen before becoming responsible for recruiting hundreds of CJNG members. CJNG is now one of Mexico’s most powerful and deadliest drug cartels, reportedly responsible for instability on both sides of the border. The cartel was official set designated by the US as a foreign terrorist organization in 2025.
The two were persecuted by the government together with the USA for well over 15 years Offer a $5 million reward in 2017 for any information leading to Salazar’s arrest or conviction, and $15 million for El Mencho. El Mencho was killed by the Mexican army in February, while Salazar was sent to the US by Mexican authorities in 2025 after being indicted by a grand jury on conspiracy charges in 2018.
The DEA’s Special Operations Division is investigating the case to assist in law enforcement and says the guilty plea represents another step toward holding drug leaders accountable. Deputy Attorney General A. Tysen Duva quoted The cartel is one of the most violent in Mexico and has caused untold damage to the United States. Salazar is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31 by Judge James Boasberg.
