In a significant development in cross-border drug enforcement, Erick Valencia-Salazar, a California resident known for his founding role in the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), has pled guilty to a federal narcotics conspiracy charge. The case against Valencia-Salazar involves allegations of orchestrating shipments of thousands of kilograms of cocaine to the United States, as reported by JURIST.
Valencia-Salazar, also known by his alias El 85, was captured in Tapalpa in 2022. Notably, his arrest was part of a wider initiative supported by the Mexican government, which facilitated the extradition of 29 cartel leaders to the U.S., marking a cooperative milestone between the two nations in tackling drug-related violence.
The CJNG, co-founded by Valencia-Salazar alongside Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, who was later recognized as the infamous El Mencho, has grown to be one of Mexico’s most formidable and violent drug trafficking organizations. The group’s influence spans both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, with its infamous reputation for violence causing significant concern. According to a U.S. Department of Justice statement, Valencia-Salazar and his cohorts were identified as major threats to U.S. national security, underscored by the substantial rewards placed on their capture—$5 million for Valencia-Salazar and $15 million for El Mencho, who was killed by the Mexican military in February.
The plea agreement, which Valencia-Salazar entered, exposes him to a sentence ranging from a mandatory minimum of 10 years to a maximum of life imprisonment. His sentencing is scheduled for July 31 under the jurisdiction of Judge James Boasberg. The plea is seen by the DEA’s Special Operations Division as a pivotal step in bringing the leadership of the CJNG to justice and curbing its devastating impact.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva emphasized the cartel’s brutal operations, noting their contribution to widespread instability and violence. The CJNG’s activities have prompted the U.S. to designate it formally as a foreign terrorist organization in 2025, reflecting the gravity of its threat.
The proceedings against Valencia-Salazar are part of a broader narrative on international drug trafficking and law enforcement collaboration. As more cartel leaders are apprehended and brought to justice, the case has highlighted the ongoing challenges and efforts to combat organized crime on a global scale.