Co-founder of Mexican drug cartel pleads guilty to conspiracy charge in the US.

A California man with a significant role in one of Mexico’s most notorious drug trafficking organizations has entered a guilty plea in a federal court in Washington, D.C. Erick Valencia Salazar, 49, co-founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a charge of conspiring to distribute cocaine intended for importation into the United States. This development underscores the ongoing challenges posed by powerful drug cartels in both Mexico and the United States.

Valencia Salazar’s plea comes with serious legal repercussions. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, with the possibility of facing life behind bars upon sentencing, which is scheduled for July 31. His involvement in drug trafficking and cartel activities has persisted for over a decade, during which time he aligned himself with notorious figures in the drug trade, most notably Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” Under their leadership, the CJNG became infamous for its extreme violence and ruthlessness.

Before co-founding the CJNG, Valencia Salazar was affiliated with the Milenio Cartel. Following a rift with Oseguera Cervantes, he formed his own drug trafficking organization, La Nueva Plaza. The CJNG is recognized not only for its extensive narcotics operations but also for the violence it has inflicted, which law enforcement officials say has had “immeasurable damage” to communities in both Mexico and the U.S.

A.Tysen Duva, the Assistant Attorney General overseeing the Justice Department’s criminal division, emphasized the chaos and destruction caused by the CJNG, noting that Valencia Salazar’s actions have exacerbated violence in Mexico, undermining public safety and stability.

Valencia Salazar was initially indicted in 2018, and in February 2025, he was extradited from Mexico to the U.S. as part of a broader initiative to target various high-profile drug traffickers. His criminal history includes arrests in Mexico, leading to his initial capture by the military in 2012. After a temporary release due to alleged procedural issues, he was recaptured in 2022.

The U.S. State Department had previously issued a reward of up to million for information leading to his arrest or conviction, illustrating the high stakes involved in combatting the powerful networks of drug trafficking. The CJNG, along with other cartel organizations, was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the administration of former President Donald Trump, reflecting the serious implications of their operations for national and international security.

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