Authorities in both Mexico and the United States have arrested a notorious cartel operative allegedly linked to a gruesome international trafficking network.

New York Post reported that Martha Alicia Mendez Aguilar, a member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was taken into custody on September 2 in Juarez, Mexico, for allegedly orchestrating the trafficking of newborns and illegal harvesting of organs from pregnant women.

Aguilar, who goes by the alias “La Diabla,” was apprehended in Juarez, a city located just across the U.S.-Mexico border from El Paso, Texas. Officials say the arrest was the result of a joint investigation conducted by American and Mexican authorities targeting underground trafficking organizations.

According to investigators, Aguilar is accused of luring impoverished, expectant mothers to isolated areas under pretenses. Once there, she allegedly carried out illegal cesarean procedures, which in many cases led to the pregnant women's deaths.

The infants born during these operations were then sold for as much as 250,000 Mexican pesos—approximately $14,000—to buyers, including couples in the United States. Authorities allege that Aguilar also harvested organs from the deceased women as part of the same operation.

Cross-Border Intelligence Operation Leads to Arrest

Officials from the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) contributed critical intelligence to the Mexican government that led to Aguilar’s arrest. American intelligence agencies have been prioritizing cartel-linked operations with cross-border impacts.

Joe Kent, director of the NCTC, acknowledged the coordinated effort involved in Aguilar’s capture and condemned the violent commercial practices of the cartel. “This is one example of what terrorist cartels will do to diversify their revenue streams and finance operations,” Kent said.

Speaking further on the seriousness of the operation, Kent added that “the lives of innocent women and children depended on” Aguilar’s arrest and the dismantling of her network.

Cartel Protest Erupts After Detainment

Shortly after Aguilar’s arrest, authorities reported that members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel set a vehicle on fire in Zapopan, Jalisco. Officials believe the attack was staged as a show of retaliation and protest against the detention of Aguilar.

The cartel, widely recognized for its violent tactics and international operations, was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States in February. The move followed an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January of the same year.

This FTO designation permits U.S. agencies to apply expanded surveillance powers, economic sanctions, and other tools beyond standard criminal law enforcement efforts. The designation also enabled intelligence agencies to more aggressively share information with Mexican counterparts in this case.

Scope of Investigation and Current Status

Although Aguilar’s arrest marks a breakthrough, officials from both countries emphasize that the investigation remains ongoing. Multiple agencies continue to trace the supply chain and identify other participants who may have facilitated the trafficking and organ trade.

As of the latest reports, Aguilar is being held in custody in Mexico, where authorities are preparing to bring charges related to both human trafficking and illegal medical operations resulting in death. She has not yet entered a plea, and a trial date has not been set.

The investigation remains complex, involving cross-border coordination between law enforcement, counterterrorism analysts, and human trafficking experts. International legal frameworks are expected to play a role as the case progresses.

Pattern of Revenue Diversification in Cartels

The charges against Aguilar underscore a broader trend among criminal networks diversifying income sources beyond narcotics. Experts note that cartels like CJNG have increasingly been linked to cybercrime, extortion, environmental crimes, and human trafficking.

The allegations in this case paint a picture of a well-structured operation exploiting the desperation of vulnerable mothers while profiting from demand in the black market medical and adoption sectors. The scope of harm is still being determined as investigators interview witnesses and examine seized materials.

Officials have pledged continued cooperation between U.S. and Mexican agencies, reiterating that operations of a similar nature will be met with unified international enforcement. “Our efforts will not stop with one arrest,” a U.S. intelligence official said off the record. “This is only the beginning.”