Spain has found itself in the spotlight of international intelligence agencies following the elimination of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes), known as El Mencho, who led one of Mexico’s most dangerous drug cartels. According to El Espanol, the death of this figure could trigger a significant rise in drug shipments to Europe through Spanish ports. For Spain, this means not only increased pressure on law enforcement but also new security challenges.
In recent weeks, anti-narcotics experts have been closely monitoring developments in Mexico. After El Mencho was killed during a Mexican military operation, an internal power struggle erupted within the cartel. Analysts believe that such periods of instability often coincide with surges in activity along international trafficking routes. Spain, as noted by the Ministry of the Interior, remains a key entry point for large shipments of cocaine and other illicit substances.
A threat to Europe
Officials from CITCO (Center for Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime) warn that after losing its leader, the cartel needs financial resources to maintain its position. This could lead to increased volumes of drugs sent to Europe, with Spain as the primary transit point. Police representatives say the new CJNG leaders will be eager to consolidate their power quickly, which typically results in more attempts to smuggle large consignments through Spanish ports.
The agency headed by Fernando Grande-Marlaska notes that following a change in cartel leadership, spikes in activity are often observed. To finance internal conflicts and the battle for control over its network, CJNG may start recruiting local residents, expanding logistics, and increasing the number of containers with illicit substances. As a result, Spain faces the risk of a new surge in drug trafficking.
Recent operations
Recently, twenty people linked to CJNG were arrested in Spain, and nearly two tons of cocaine were seized. The operation was overseen by Central Investigative Court No. 2 of the National Court and the Anti-Drug Prosecutor’s Office, with support from the DEA and Dutch authorities. This confirms that the cartel has long viewed Spain as a strategic entry point to the European market.
Experts point out that CJNG is more than just a drug business. The organization is also involved in arms trafficking, money laundering, migrant smuggling, human exploitation, bribery, and extortion. According to Ale Espanol, the DEA’s annual report for 2024 stated that CJNG is planning to establish itself in Spain to expand its influence across the European market.
Context and trends
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly become the stage for major operations against international drug networks. In 2025, authorities in Valencia foiled an attempt to smuggle a large consignment of synthetic drugs from South America. In Barcelona in 2024, police arrested a group linked to a Colombian cartel that was trying to establish a supply route through the ports of Catalonia. Such cases demonstrate that Spain remains one of the main gateways for drug trafficking into Europe, and every change of leadership within Latin American cartels leads to new attempts to gain a foothold in the country’s market.
