Audias Flores Silva
Audias Flores Silva | |
|---|---|
Flores Silva's mugshot | |
| Born | Audias Flores Silva 19 November 1980 |
| Other names |
|
| Occupation | Drug lord |
| Years active | 2000s–2026 |
Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Imprisoned at | Altiplano maximum-security federal prison |
Audias Flores Silva (born 19 November 1980), commonly known by his alias "El Jardinero" or "The Gardener", is a Mexican drug lord and high-ranking leader in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).[1][2]
Early life and career
[edit]Audias Flores Silva was born on 19 November 1980, in Michoacán, Mexico, and worked closely all his life with El Mencho, a Mexican drug lord who was once the most wanted man in Mexico and the leader of the CJNG.[3][4][5]
After Mencho's death in February 2026, Flores Silva aimed to take over power of Mencho's organization.[6] Analysts noted that he was possibly next in line to run the CJNG.[7] Starting his life of crime over a decade ago, Flores Silva went by many aliases before his current one, such as “El Commander,” “El Bravo 2,” “Audi,” and “Boss Killer."[8]
2026 Capture
[edit]On April 27, 2026, Flores Silva was captured by Mexican military after being found in a ditch.[9][10] Prior to his capture, the United States was offering up to $5 million in reward for any information on him.[11][12][13] In May, 2026, his charges were expanded by a judge.[14]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Audias Flores-Silva". United States Department of State. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Audias Flores-Silva". DEA. Archived from the original on June 30, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Office of Public Affairs | High-Ranking CJNG Leader Charged with Federal Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, Firearm Offenses, and Money Laundering Conspiracy | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. May 14, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ "El Jardinero: What to know about 'The Gardener,' the Mexican cartel figure arrested in a ditch | CNN". CNN. April 29, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Archived: $5M reward offered for information leading to arrest, conviction of major Mexican drug cartel member | ICE". www.ice.gov. April 15, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ Cano, Joel (February 6, 2024). "Which states does 'El Jardinero,' the possible successor to 'El Mencho,' operate in?". Infobae (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ C.V, DEMOS, Desarrollo de Medios, S. A. de (February 28, 2026). "La Jornada: SSPC detects four leaders who may succeed El Mencho". La Jornada (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved July 2, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "El Mini Toy' captured in Zapopan; authorities were targeting 'El Jardinero,' a CJNG leader, who managed to escape". Los Noticieristas (in Spanish). November 23, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Senior Mexican cartel leader with links to 'El Mencho' captured". www.bbc.com. April 28, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Mexican special forces arrest top commander of cartel and his alleged money launderer". The Guardian. April 28, 2026. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Mexico: Special forces capture cartel leader 'El Jardinero'". dw.com. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Cartel boss known as "The Gardener" hit with U.S. charges after being captured while hiding in ditch - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. May 15, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ Ortega, Guillermo. "El Jardinero,' the new head of security for Los Chapitos, for whom the DEA is offering a multimillion-dollar reward". guillermoortega (in Spanish). Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ Press, Associated (May 14, 2026). "US grand jury widens charges against Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel second-in-command". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 2, 2026.