PHOTOS: Mexican cartel king El Mencho buried in gold coffin under heavy security

PHOTOS: Mexican cartel king El Mencho buried in gold coffin under heavy security

Drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho”, was buried on March 2, 2026 in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, Mexico.

In footage seen by TNX Africa, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was laid to rest in a shiny golden casket decorated with large flower wreaths.

There was a heavy military presence at the funeral as a large crowd joined the procession. Many people carried black umbrellas to shield themselves from the hot sun while a band played traditional Mexican songs.

According to ABC News, security was heightened at the funeral home on Sunday.

Flower wreaths continued to arrive without identification of the senders. Some arrangements featured a rooster, a nickname associated with Oseguera Cervantes.

One official spoke about the burial on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorised to share the information. The Attorney General’s Office declined to confirm the burial location, citing security concerns.

According to CNN, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was found at a luxurious house in the mountains of Tapalpa, Mexico, following a tip-off. Footage showed destroyed vehicles at the property after a raid and shoot-out between army officers and the drug lord’s guards.

El Mencho allegedly attempted to escape through the backyard but was struck by heavy gunfire. He died on a plane while being transported to the hospital.

The operation followed an investigation into his inner circle. US intelligence reportedly assisted Mexican forces in identifying a witness who pointed out the hideout. Mexican Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla Trejo said the information came from a “trusted man” linked to one of El Mencho’s lovers.

Once the woman left the country club home, Oseguera Cervantes was reportedly left with only his bodyguards.

Mexican special forces and the National Guard’s Special Immediate Reaction Force carried out the raid within 24 hours. Authorities said cartel members fired first, prompting the army to return fire, killing several of them.

The killing of the drug lord sparked clashes and violence in about 20 areas across Mexico, though the unrest has since subsided. An official death certificate obtained by the Associated Press confirmed that Oseguera Cervantes was shot in the chest, stomach and legs.