MEXICO – A helicopter carrying an alleged cell leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel crashed near Mexico City on Sunday night, killing the 59-year-old pilot.
The Daily Mail reports a rescue unit responding to a helicopter crash was greeted with gun fire from alleged members of the most powerful cartel in Mexico on Sunday.
Mexican authorities responded to a 911 call in Sultepec, a municipality near Mexico City, and not only found the downed helicopter but also armed men in six pickup trucks.
A security official confirmed the shootout, but gave no further details.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly.
Local media outlets reported that a cell leader from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was aboard the doomed aircraft but did not confirm if he suffered any injuries in the accident.
The pilot, 59, was found dead inside the cockpit and three women suffered injuries near the crash site and were taken to a local hospital.
Mexico State prosecutors said in a statement that no bullet wounds were found on the dead pilot or the three hospitalized women.
At least 30 police officers and military soldiers responded to the accident scene and exchanged fire with the criminal organization.
Some reports indicated that as many as four police officers died in the gun battle with members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel but a spokesperson with the prosecutor’s office confirmed to DailyMail.com that there were no casualties among the cops.
No arrests have been reported.
The official said the cause of the helicopter crash Sunday night is still under investigation.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel rose to power in 2018 and is considered to be the strongest faction in all of Mexico.
The gang is led by Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, who is wanted by Mexican and U.S. authorities.
El Mencho is one of the 10 most-wanted men on the FBI’s list and the U.S. Department of Justice is offering a $10million reward for his capture.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel is currently at war with the Sinaloa Cartel, which was once headed by Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán; Zetas Old School and the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel, which has a major control the illicit sale of gasoline in Mexico.
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