Martha Alicia Mendez Aguilar, known as “La Diabla,” a high-ranking member of Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was arrested on 2 September 2025 in Ciudad Juárez during a joint US-Mexican operation. She is accused of running a horrific trafficking ring targeting impoverished pregnant women, luring them to remote locations under false pretences, and performing illegal caesarean procedures—often fatally. The organs of the deceased women were harvested, and the newborns were reportedly sold to US couples for up to 250,000 Mexican pesos, roughly $14,000 each. US intelligence, including the FBI and National Counterterrorism Center, provided key information that led to her arrest, highlighting the cartel’s expansion into extreme, terroristic criminal activities.
La Diabla’s brutal human trafficking network
“La Diabla” was apprehended through a coordinated effort involving Mexican federal police and US agencies. The operation underscores the transnational scope of CJNG’s criminal activities, which extend beyond narcotics trafficking to include human trafficking, organ harvesting, and violent enforcement measures. Authorities continue investigating the network to identify additional participants and victims, ensuring that legal action can extend to all involved parties. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, labelled a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO) by the US government in early 2025, is known for its adaptability and violence. By classifying the cartel as an FTO, US agencies gain broader authority to deploy intelligence, sanctions, and cross-border support against their operations. “La Diabla’s” case exemplifies how cartels diversify revenue streams through extreme criminal enterprises, targeting vulnerable populations for financial gain and maintaining a climate of fear.
Impact and next steps after the arrest
Authorities are pursuing extradition to bring Mendez Aguilar to the US to face federal charges. The case serves as a stark reminder of the global reach of organised crime and the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational criminal networks. Investigators hope her arrest will dismantle the baby-trafficking and organ-harvesting network while deterring future cartel exploitation of vulnerable populations.
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