Mexico’s most powerful cartel leader is likely to be “worried” after the arrest of his daughter – who could have vital information on the gang, an expert has claimed.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel trafficks huge quantities of drugs into the US, Europe and Asia, and has risen to become the most powerful criminal organisation in the country.

Authorities have been tracking leader El Mencho for several years, but appear no closer to capturing the elusive drug lord – a former ally of El Chapo’s.

However, his daughter Jessica Oseguera Gonzalez pleaded guilty to owning or having business dealings with companies blacklisted by the US Treasury Department earlier this month.

The 34-year-old will be sentenced on June 30 and may face up to 30 years in prison, according to the US Department of Justice.

A raft of other senior CJNG leaders have also been arrested over the past two years, posing a headache for El Mencho.

Robert Almonte, a former US federal marshal who spent 25 years in El Paso's Police Department tackling narcotics, believes Jessica may have crucial intelligence against the cartel.

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Mr Almonte told the Daily Star: "There is no doubt that Jessica has information and was directly involved in the operations for her dad."

As such, he believes she may have knowledge of "the financial operations of the CJNG as well as specific information pertaining to corrupt government officials in Mexico who have or are taking bribes from the CJNG".

He added: “El Mencho has to be worried, because he knows that Jessica has substantial knowledge about the CJNG that if provided to the US authorities could significantly damage the CJNG and may even lead to the arrest of El Mencho.”

Weeks ago, Mexican authorities also arrested Juan Manuel Abouzaid – a high ranking CJNG member – in the western state of Jalisco.

He allegedly coordinated the shipment of drugs and laundered money for the cartel.

Mr Almonte said his arrest “could have a huge impact, especially on the financial operations of the CJNG”.

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Despite these setbacks, the gang is still hugely powerful and has previously shown off its military might.

Last July, dozens of armed CJNG members shouted Mencho’s name and showed off military-grade weapons along with armoured pickup trucks in disturbing propaganda footage, believed to have been recorded in the state of Jalisco.

Authorities previously estimated it oversaw one-third of all drugs being transported from Mexico into the US.

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