'El Pepe' Arrested — Logistics Operator Who Led Surveillance Chain to El Mencho

Mexican Army special forces and National Guard arrested 'El Pepe' (José N.) in Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco on March 16, 2026. El Pepe is the CJNG logistics operator who transported El Mencho's romantic partner to the Tapalpa mountain hideout — the piece of surveillance that began the tracking chain leading to the February 22 operation. His arrest closes a key intelligence gap and shows Mexico's security forces are systematically dismantling the operational network that protected El Mencho for years. El Pepe faced charges related to organized crime. This arrest demonstrates that Mexico is pursuing the entire support network around El Mencho, not just the cartel leadership.