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Close ally of drug kingpin 'El Mencho' gets 30 years in prison as US ramps up pressure on cartels

Close ally of drug kingpin 'El Mencho' gets 30 years in prison as US ramps up pressure on cartels

WASHINGTON — A close ally of fugitive Jalisco New Generation boss known as 'El Mencho' for years orchestrated a prolific drug trafficking operation, using a semi-submersible and other methods to avoid detection, and provided weapons to one of Mexico's most powerful cartels, prosecutors say.
On Friday, José González Valencia, was sentenced in Washington's federal court to 30 years in a U.S. prison following his 2017 arrest at a beach resort in Brazil while vacationing with his family under a fake name.

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