The United States expanded charges against Audias Flores Silva, alias “El Jardinero,” identified by U.S. authorities as one of the p main operators of the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (CJNG) and nominated as possible successor of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho”.

Pursuant to the superseding indictment presented before a federal jury in the District of Columbia, U.S. authorities added crimes related to methamphetamine trafficking and conspiracy to launder money, in addition to previous charges for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin on U.S. territory.

The US Department of Justice maintains that Flores Silva participated in the shipment of large quantities of drugs to the United States and in the movement of illicit resources generated by CJNG operations.

The new allegations could lead to a life sentence if he is found guilty.

“El Jardinero” was arrested on 27 April in Nayarit during an operation led by special forces from the Secretary of the Navy, with support from US agencies.

After his capture, he was transferred to the Altiplano federal penitentiary, where he remains while the judicial process related to his possible extradition to the United States continues.

Newspaper reports indicate that the extradition of the criminal leader remains temporarily suspended due to legal resources promoted by his defense, among them a protection trial.

US authorities consider Audias Flores Silva a key figure within the structure of CJNG, a criminal organization dedicated to drug trafficking, weapons and money laundering.

In recent years, “El Jardinero” gained notoriety for his alleged control of methamphetamine laboratories and smuggling routes between Mexico and the United States.