This is how CJNG used foreign companies to procure chemical precursors from India, China and Turkey

With a presence in more than 100 countries around the world, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) have managed to establish contacts abroad in order to import chemical precursors to Mexico, where they are used in clandestine laboratories to manufacture synthetic drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The United States (US) authorities investigated mode of operation through which the “four letter cartel” obtained these chemicals India, Turkey y China for a decade. In doing so, they learned that “apparently legitimate” companies were being used to import the drugs.

The person involved in this case is Javier Algredo Vazqueza businessman who was charged in the District of Columbia with international conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and precursor chemicals.

In mid-July of this year, Javier faced a trial in the neighboring country for three charges: conspiring to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine for importation into the United States; conspiring to distribute precursor chemicals and conspiring to launder money.

The Department of Justice announced that Javier worked for a decade for the organization led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, aka ‘El Mencho‘. His connections with said cartel began from 2011 and lasted until 2021the year he was arrested by American agents.

According to intelligence reports, one of the companies linked to Algredo Pro Chemie New York Inc, based in the United States. Shipments of precursors were made through it. First they arrived in the country ruled by Joe Biden, and then they were imported into Mexico, through the port of Manzanillo, in the state of Colima.

Another of the companies involved is the company Punjab Chemicals and Crop Protection, of India. Official documentation confirms that Algredo paid a little more than 20 thousand USD to send a shipment of precursors.

In addition to the United States and India, it was discovered in Mexico that Algredo had connections to the company MB Barter & Tradign Mexico SA de CVwhose address is located in the municipality of Nezahualcóyotl, State of Mexico.

As part of these investigations, US authorities managed to seize four shipments of precursors chemicals. The first took place on June 8, 2021 in Oakland, California. The seizure was 24,500 kilos of methylamine hydrochloride that came from China and had its final destination in Manzanillo, Mexico. “The invoice listed ‘José Alberto Salinas Vázquez’ as the recipient, with the defendant’s email address, Carlos Algredo“, reads the official report.

Between 25 and 30 August 2021, two seizures were made in Houston, Texas, with more than 50 thousand kilos of cocaine and 50 thousand kilos of citric acid originating in China. On this occasion, the precursors were to be sent to the port of Veracruz with MB Barter as recipient.

The last and fourth insurance was issued on 21 September 2021 i MiamiFlorida, with 44,400 kilos of acetic acid from Turkey and on the way to Manzanillo. MB Barter again acted as receiver.

As for Javier’s brother, Carlos Algredoon 8 February 2023, the Ministry of Justice published its accusation in DC for his alleged participation in the international conspiracy to traffic in chemical precursors.

It was reported that Carlos Algredo Vázquez, 57, also worked for the CJNG from 2011 along with another subject identified as Francisco Pulido Coracero, 65. Both are originally from Michoacan and used apparently legitimate companies in Mexico and the United States to acquire methylamine, nitroethane, phenylacetic acid, toluene, and acetone from companies China and India.

Although it was reported that the products were also sent to other “Mexican drug trafficking organizations”, it was not mentioned which ones they were.

While Javier was found guilty of the aforementioned charges and awaits sentencing, Carlos faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum Lifelong prison for manufacturing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine for importation into the United States, and for conspiracy to distribute controlled chemical substances.