Mexico: Jalisco Cartel Chief 'El Fantasma' Believed to Have Hung 10 Bodies From Overpass Arrested by Military

Rafael "N," known by his alias "El Fantasma," who is the leader of the Jalisco Cartel in Mexico's Zacatecas state, has been arrested on Saturday.

According to Mexico News Daily, the Army and the National Anti-Kidnapping Coordinator arrested the cartel chief in Chihuahua for aggravated kidnapping.

Authorities believed that "El Fantasma" (the ghost) was responsible for the 10 bodies found hanging from an overpass in Cuauhtemoc at Zacatecas.

El Fantasma was reportedly in charge of training recruits and suspected of selling illegal drugs, extortion, kidnappings, and homicides in Fresnillo, Tepetongo, and Monte Escobedo.

The Jalisco cartel leader is also being investigated for kidnapping two U.S. citizens, siblings Javier and Alejandra Márquez Gómez of Los Angeles, California, last December 23. According to reports, the kidnappers demanded $17,000 from their relatives in the U.S.

Tepetongo and Monte Escobedo that El Fantasma allegedly controlled were left with no police officers in November, while Fresnillo has the distinction of being a city in Mexico where the highest percentage of residents feel unsafe.

According to El Universal, the Jalisco cartel leader was wanted by both Zacatecas and Chihuahua authorities.

Bodies Hung From Bridges in Mexico Amid Mexican Drug Cartels' Turf War

In November, at least 19 bodies were found hanging from separate bridges and a tree in Mexico's Zacatecas state. Three bodies were discovered hanging from a bridge in Fresnillo town on November 15 and 10 bodies from another bridge in Cuauhtémoc town on November 18.

After a week, another three bodies were found hanging from an overpass in Fresnillo and three more from a tree in the same town.

Zacatecas reportedly sees a number of murders as rival Mexican drug cartels fight for control of some highways that link border states with the rest of Mexico. Most of the cartel violence in Zacatecas is allegedly connected to a turf war between the Jalisco cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel.

In late November, at least 12 were reported dead in a series of clashes between the Jalisco cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel in Zacatecas.

Human remains were also found in two plastic bags in the same month. At least four municipalities in Zacatecas reportedly ran out of police officers after mass resignations in November.

In early December, an SUV filled with 10 bodies was left outside the state governor's office. The bodies were discovered crammed inside a Mazda SUV abandoned near a Christmas tree in the main plaza of the state capital of Zacatecas.

From January 18 to 25 this year, Zacatecas reportedly had 24 intentional homicides. Last year, the state had a total of 1,621.

Turf War Between Jalisco Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico's Zacatecas State

Officials said Mexican drug cartels have been battling for control of Zacatecas since the state is a key transit point for drugs.

Security experts noted that Zacatecas was crucial in transporting fentanyl from Mexico's South Pacific ports to the U.S. border. Zacatecas reportedly links the center and west of Mexico to the U.S. border, a key territory for drug-trafficking routes.

Aside from the Jalisco cartel and Sinaloa Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, Northeast Cartel, and the Los Talibanes also reportedly operate in Zacatecas state. All five crime organizations are involved in the operations of trafficking fentanyl and other illegal drugs.

Security experts said an unprecedented wave of violence had enveloped the streets of Zacatecas as the Mexican drug cartels fought over the territory.

Mexican drug cartels usually make public displays of bodies to taunt their rivals or authorities. It is also sometimes used to scare local residents.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel or Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) is currently the Sinaloa Cartel's main rival. The Jalisco cartel is being led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known by his alias "El Mencho," according to an InsightCrime report.

According to the U.S. State Department, the Jalisco cartel is considered "to be the most violent drug trafficking organization currently operating in Mexico, with the highest cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine trafficking capacity."

The U.S. government has already offered a $10 million reward for information leading to El Mencho's arrest as he continues to evade capture.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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