Brother of Mexican cartel leader sentenced to 22.5 years

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 19:02 · Archive

Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, brother of slain cartel leader El Mencho, was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison for drug trafficking and firearms offences.

Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, 67, also known as 'Tony Montana', was sentenced on Friday to 22.5 years in prison for drug trafficking and firearms offences committed in service of Mexican drug cartels. He pleaded guilty in July to conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine for importation into the United States, and to using, carrying and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy.

Cervantes worked for cartels alongside his brother Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, who co-founded and led the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). El Mencho was killed by the Mexican army in February. The New York Post reports that Cervantes was arrested by Mexican soldiers in December 2022 after being found hiding in a warehouse with weapons near Guadalajara, and was extradited to the United States in February 2025.

U.S. officials said Cervantes spent more than two decades helping to operate one of the world's most dangerous drug trafficking organisations. The Justice Department's Criminal Division said he 'helped fuel' the cartel whilst 'flooding America's communities with deadly drugs while enriching himself and his associates'. The Trump administration has designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organisation.

How it is being reported

• Say hello to our little cell: Mexican drug lord nicknamed ‘El Tony Montana’ gets 22.5 years in US prisonNotorious drug kingpin “El Tony Montana” — brother of Mexico’s once-most-wanted cartel boss “El Mencho” — was sentenced to 22.5 years behind bars in Washington, DC Friday, according to federal officials.New York Post · 13 Nov, 18:42
• Brother of cartel leader "El Mencho" gets 22.5 years in prisonThe brother of the slain prominent cartel leader known as "El Mencho" was sentenced on Friday to 22.5 years in prison.CBS News · 13 Nov, 17:54

In this story: Antonio Oseguera Cervantes · Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes · Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación · United States · Mexico

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log