One of the founders of the CJNG would seek an agreement with the USA to avoid trial
Erick Valencia Salazar, alias El 85, was extradited to the United States in February 2025 along with 28 other criminals
Erick Valencia Salazar, alias “El 85”, one of the founders of the Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel (CJNG), seeks to reach an agreement with the United States Attorney's Office that would allow him to plead guilty guilty and avoid a federal trial on drug trafficking charges.
Valencia Salazar, who was extradited to the United States in February 2025 along with 28 other alleged members of organized crime, faces charges of conspiracy to distribute narcotics in the District of Columbia. The U.S. justice system was offering a $5 million reward for his capture.
According to court documents cited by attorneys Bonnie S. Klapper and Daniela Posada, “the parties have been negotiating in good faith and plea negotiations continue.” It was also reported that the defendant's legal team is reviewing the evidence and considering different options to prevent the case from going to trial.
A follow-up hearing originally scheduled for October was postponed by Judge James E. Boasberg.
Arrest and Extradition
“El 85” was captured in September 2022 by Mexican security forces in Tapalpa, Jalisco, during an operation in which three other people were also arrested and handguns and 1,000 fentanyl pills were seized. Despite the fact that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) had ordered his remain in the Altiplano maximum security prison until his legal situation was resolved, he was ultimately extradited.
In August 2024, the defendant's family members and lawyers organized a march to stop his extradition, arguing that the extradition was illegal. "He firmly believes in Mexican justice, he believes he will stay here because he is not a criminal," his legal representatives expressed.
Valencia Salazar is identified as one of the founders of the CJNG along with Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho," and Martin Arzola Ortega, "El 53." Previously, all were part of the now defunct Milenio Cartel.
According to Azteca Noticias,"85" could reveal everything he knows about drug trafficking in exchange for an agreement with the United States.