Mexican authorities apprehended Gerardo "La Pocha", the purported leader of the North East Cartel (CDN), in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, on charges related to alleged conspiracy and drug trafficking offenses sought by the United States.
A joint operation between the Mexican National Guard, the Mexican Army, and the Prosecutor General of the Republic (FGR) resulted in the capture on November 7, following a coordinated effort with the U.S. Government, which involved the sharing of military intelligence and information.
Gerardo "N", also known as "Nazi", the son of "La Pocha", was detained alongside his father. Authorities suspect Gerardo of being a member of the same criminal organization, with Sedena reporting that he was responsible for overseeing the group's operations in the eastern sector of Nuevo Laredo, a key border city adjacent to Laredo, Texas. This area is a strategic location for the North East Cartel's activities.
US authorities are focusing on a suspect linked to the production and distribution of synthetic substances, as well as alleged crimes committed in a small territory, including homicide, kidnapping, and extortion. A key aspect of the investigation centers around a US arrest warrant issued against the individual, Gerardo "N", due to alleged involvement in drug trafficking conspiracies and the transportation of narcotics to the United States.
Mexican authorities in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, conducted a joint operation with the Mexican Defense Department and the National Guard, in conjunction with the Federal Investigation Agency and the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime, resulting in the arrest of Gerardo "N", also known as "La Pocha".
Federal forces conducted operations, resulting in the seizure of various items, including firearms, ammunition, narcotics, four vehicles, and one piece of property. These assets were secured for use in ongoing investigations. Following their apprehension, the detainees were transported by National Guard aircraft to Mexico City, where they were turned over to the Specialized Crime Prosecutor's Office for further processing.
Ongoing efforts to determine the legal status of the dependence will require continued ministerial oversight, expert analysis, and thorough investigations.
A recent case has drawn attention to the North East Cartel, a criminal organization that emerged from the fragmentation of Los Zetas. The group maintains a significant presence along the border between Tamaulipas and Texas. In October, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on four individuals and 11 entities allegedly involved in the cartel's financial activities. Concurrently, Mexican authorities have taken steps to disrupt the cartel's financial operations by freezing 15 bank accounts linked to the organization.
US authorities view Novo Laredo as a key stronghold of a major organized crime group, with its operations network spanning various sectors including transportation, fuel, construction, and horse breeding. The arrest of a high-ranking figure, known as "La Pocha," comes as part of intensified US-Mexico cooperation to apprehend members of crime organizations being pursued by US law enforcement.
