Mexico arrests alleged cartel leader wanted in US, 19 others; suspect linked to mayor's killing and avocado extortion

The lucrative avocado business in western Mexico has long been shadowed by threats, extortion and cartel violence. In one of the latest developments in the region's fight against organised crime, Mexican authorities have arrested an alleged drug cartel leader wanted in the United States, along with 19 other people, in an operation aided by intelligence shared by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The main suspect, Rafael "N", known by the alias "R2", is accused of leading a faction of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and has allegedly been linked to the killing of a local mayor who had spoken out against organised crime, as well as the extortion of avocado producers.According to Reuters, the operation took place in Zapopan, in the western state of Jalisco, on November 8. Mexico's Navy said its special operations unit carried out the operation in coordination with the country's security ministry, following intelligence work by Mexico's National Intelligence Center and information shared by the DEA.