world
Mexican Authorities Arrest Alleged Northeast Cartel Cell Leader in Nuevo León, Seize Weapons, Vehicles and Tigers
Authorities detained José Antonio Cortes Huerta, 39, and Rosario Flores Alemán, 41, seizing narcotics, cash, 10 guns, 11 vehicles, six motorcycles and seven tigers. The operation followed the seizure of a boat in Tamaulipas and targeted items linked to Roberto Blanco Cantu, known as "El Señor de los Buques."
May 11, 1:57 PM·1m read1 source
winnipegfreepress.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Mexican authorities arrested José Antonio Cortes Huerta, 39, the leader of a cell affiliated with the Northeast Cartel, in Nuevo León, officials announced Monday. A woman identified as Rosario Flores Alemán, 41, was also detained in the operation. Authorities said they seized unidentified narcotics, cash, 10 guns, 11 vehicles, six motorcycles and seven tigers.
The arrest stemmed from an investigation that followed the seizure of a boat in Tamaulipas, Mexico's security minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said in a social media post. " Cantu is a majority shareholder of the company Mefra Fletes. Roberto Blanco Cantu is accused of smuggling fuel via boats and is allegedly affiliated with the Northeast Cartel.
The Northeast Cartel is a remnant of the infamous Zetas crime syndicate. It was designated as a foreign terrorist group by the Trump administration in 2025. U.S. issued sanctions against three people and two casinos for their alleged links to the Northeast Cartel.
U.S. Treasury Department, the cartel is involved in the trafficking of fentanyl, crystal meth, heroin and cocaine along the border. The department said the group has waged a campaign of terror on the border.
U.S. Treasury Department said. " CBS News reported that some Mexican drug cartels are known to house exotic cats as symbols of power and, occasionally, to dispose of their enemies.
U.S. " The latest arrests form part of Mexico's continued crackdown on cartels. U.S. border. Omar Garcia Harfuch, Mexico's security minister, announced the operation's results.
