Story perspectives

Mexico Nabs CJNG Commander ‘El Jardinero’ After $5 M Reward

4/28/2026

Summary

Special Forces Arrest

Mexico’s special forces arrested Audias Flores Silva, “El Jardinero,” a CJNG commander and El Mencho’s security chief, in Nayarit on April 27.
The El Mirador raid north of Puerto Vallarta deployed over 500 troops, six helicopters and planes, and captured him without gunfire after a U.S. $5 million reward.
Authorities also seized Cesar Alejandro “El Guero Conta,” Flores’s financial operator, in Zapopan on money-laundering charges, after El Mencho’s February 22 death that sparked over 70 killings.

Summary

Flores Silva Capture

Capture of Audias Flores Silva could trigger a reshuffling of CJNG’s top command in western Mexico.
His removal is expected to weaken the cartel’s coordination of meth-lab operations and cross-border aircraft smuggling.
Rival CJNG factions may vie for control of the routes he previously oversaw.
Mexican security officials announced larger multi-state task forces and increased surveillance of remote airstrips, integrating the operation with United States (U.S.) drug-enforcement agencies.

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Special Forces Arrest

Mexico’s special forces arrested Audias Flores Silva, “El Jardinero,” a CJNG commander and El Mencho’s security chief, in Nayarit on April 27.
The El Mirador raid north of Puerto Vallarta deployed over 500 troops, six helicopters and planes, and captured him without gunfire after a U.S. $5 million reward.
Authorities also seized Cesar Alejandro “El Guero Conta,” Flores’s financial operator, in Zapopan on money-laundering charges, after El Mencho’s February 22 death that sparked over 70 killings.

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