“HEARST” for Borderland Beat
NOTE: This is a live thread which is actively being written and updated. Initial reports for breaking news stories can often have inaccuracies.
News just broke that Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “Tony Montana”, the brother of Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, was captured and arrested.
Details About the Operation Which Arrested Him
Reforma is reporting that he was arrested in Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco. The operation reportedly took place at dawn today, on December 20, 2022.
NTR Guadalajara is reporting that the Army (SEDENA), the National Guard and the federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) were involved in the operation.
He was allegedly arrested at 5:20 am in the morning.
NTR writes that soldiers seized six short barrel firearms, one long barrel firearm, ammo, a package of cocaine, and two vehicles during the operation which captured Tony Montana.
The National Detention Registry currently lists out Tony Montana’s status as “in transit”, or meaning he is currently being transferred. Based on the arrest procedures we’ve seen with previous capos, its likely that Tony is currently being flown out to Mexico City.
The Official Army Press Release
At 11:15 am, the Army sent out a press release which gives details about the arrest. It reads as follows:
[…] On December 20 of this year, in the municipality of Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco, personnel from the Mexican Army and the National Guard, in coordination with the Cenfi (CNI) and the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), arrested Antonio “N”, an alleged logistics operator who was carrying out money laundering activities for a criminal group from Jalisco.
It is also presumed that he was in charge of acquiring weapons in large quantities, coordinating violent actions against antagonistic groups. He is also considered by the U.S. Treasury Department to be an alleged member of said criminal organization. They consider him to be in charge of money laundering and international drug trafficking activities.
[…] Military and National Guard personnel, […] obtained information about a property located in the municipality of Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco, where Antonio “N” was residing, carrying out criminal activities and coordinating logistical and financial operations.
Mexican Army and National Guard personnel […] established a security perimeter that allowed FGR elements to carry out a technical investigation order [search warrant?] which managed to arrest Antonio “N” in the act of illegally possessing the following:
6 handguns.
1 long weapon.
A package with possible cocaine.
2 vehicles.
9 magazines.
The detainee and the seized items were handed over to the relevant authorities. […]
The arrest of Antonio “N” represents a decisive blow to one of the country’s criminal organizations, as he is considered to be one of the main logistical and financial operators.
The Alleged Residential Subdivision Where He Was Caught
The SEDENA press release above does not specify where Tony was arrested beyond saying that it was in Tlajomulco de Zúñiga municipality, however, some news sources are beginning to allege a particular location.
The news outlets La Silla Rota and Debate have both written that the arrest operation took place in Del Pilar residential subdivision within Tlajomulco de Zúñiga.
The Aftermath / Reaction
Ricardo Sánchez Beruben, the Secretary of Public Security for the state of Jalisco has made a public statement warning law enforcement and military authorities to remain on alert. He wrote that previous reports of retaliatory attacks have been proven to be false so far but real attacks may begin.
Shortly after the announcement of his arrest, the US Embassy in Guadalajara, Jalisco issued a Security Alert in anticipation of retaliatory attacks or attempts to free him.
Background Information on Tony Montana
He was born in Aguililla, Michoacán, on August 10, 1958. Tony Montana has previously been arrested, back in 1996, in the US on heroin trafficking charges and deported back to Mexico.
He appears to have returned to the US and he was prosecuted on charges of property damage in Mississippi in 2001. On these charges, he served time in US prison until July 18, 2008.
Tony Montana was arrested again in Mexico on December 3, 2015, in Tlajomulco de Zúñiga. He was taken to a maximum security prison in Sonora.
A year later, on December 7, 2016, a judge had him released from prison due to technicalities in Tony’s legal due process.
In October 2016, Tony Montana appeared on a US intelligence chart that alleged he was involved in the logistics and money laundering of the CJNG.
