U.S.-Mexico Collaboration Results in Arrest of Infamous Cartel Leader Linked to Infant Trafficking Ring

Joint U.S.-Mexico Operation Results in Capture of Infamous Cartel Leader

Updated on: September 24, 2025, 3:07 PM EDT

In a significant operation carried out last month, a collaborative effort between U.S. and Mexican authorities led to the apprehension of Martha Alicia Mendez Aguilar, commonly known by her alias “La Diabla.” This notorious figure is accused of orchestrating a horrific infant trafficking network in northern Mexico. Officials reported her capture occurred on September 2, 2025, following a series of investigative efforts that revealed alarming details about the extent of her criminal operations.

The Disturbing Operation

Mendez Aguilar is alleged to have been a key player in an appalling scheme that involved enticing vulnerable pregnant women—often from impoverished backgrounds—into remote locations, where they became victims of heinous crimes. Authorities suggest that members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), reportedly led by Mendez Aguilar, performed illegal cesarean sections on these women, leading to tragic fatalities. Postmortem, it was claimed that organs were harvested from the deceased mothers, while their newborns were placed into unlawful markets for sale, primarily targeting couples in the United States.

The price for these infants reportedly reached 250,000 pesos (approximately $14,000), underscoring the lucrative nature of the trafficking operation.

Timing and Collaboration

The successful operation stemmed from actionable intelligence provided by the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), which falls under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. NCTC Director Joe Kent emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the trafficking scheme illustrates the lengths to which terrorist organizations such as cartels will go to broaden their financial operations.

According to reports, analysts from the NCTC played a crucial role in monitoring Mendez Aguilar’s activities, tracking her patterns, and coordinating effectively with both U.S. intelligence and Mexican law enforcement agencies. The operation saw active involvement from several American agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI El Paso, Diplomatic Security Service, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, alongside Mexican authorities, specifically the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Women (Fiscalia Especializada en la Mujer).

Ongoing Investigation and Broader Implications

Mendez Aguilar is currently being held in Mexican custody, while the investigation into her alleged criminal enterprise continues. This event highlights the intensified focus of Washington on Mexican cartels over the past few years.

In January, President Trump signed an executive order mandating the State Department to classify cartels and transnational gangs as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). As a result, the State Department designated several groups, including CJNG, as terrorists in February. This reclassification allows U.S. authorities to employ an expansive arsenal of counterterrorism strategies, including intelligence operations, sanctions, and even military support, to pursue cartel members.

Critics of this approach caution against potential overreach and the risk of unintended consequences. Meanwhile, supporters argue that cartels, equipped with hybrid terrorist tactics, increasingly pose a threat requiring such an expanded framework. The NCTC has reported the addition of over 21,000 cartel affiliates to their classified terrorist database, creating upwards of 35,000 identified profiles associated with these newly designated groups. Since the start of the Trump administration, an estimated 6,525 individuals linked to terrorism have been denied entry into the United States.

Summary of Cartel Trafficking Operations

This recent capture sheds light on the pervasive and brutal nature of cartel operations, illustrating the pressing need for coordinated international efforts to combat such heinous activities.